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Ahmedabad Airport paves way for a greener tomorrow

Not only airplanes, but airports are also responsible for carbon emissions in the civil aviation sector. Indian airports such as the ones in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi and Vadodara have taken steps to minimise their carbon footprints. And now Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA or Ahmedabad International Airport) is also paving the way for a greener tomorrow and joining the league. In sync with the global vision of increasing green cover, SVPIA in its current initiatives, has planted over 2,000 trees of nearly 20 different species at the airport. Just before privatisation a year back the airport had about 6000 trees and now in short span of 1 year it has increased to 8000 with addition of 2000 in just one year. Adding to green cover and reducing carbon footprint, the SVPI airport has been taking up several initiatives one of them being increasing greenery inside and outside terminal buildings. In short span of 1 year of privatisation, the airport has added about 2000 square meter of shrubs area and 1200 square meter of green cover using lawn. With proactive efforts from SVPI airport, the greenery has increased and reaching closer to the goal of better sustainable development through various programs for greener future. About 6000 trees count has increased to 8000 now and plan to achieve about 20,000 in next 4 years with 10,000 sqm shrubs that was 5000 sqm about a year back and has increased to 7000 sqm by Jan 2022. The green carpet lawn was about 10,000 sqm and has increased to 11200 sqm and aim towards making it 20,000 sqm in coming years. In fact, the new year 2022 started with the upgradation of the airport with about over 100 palms, over 5,000 decorative shrubs and over 10,000 flowering annuals, at the outdoor areas. The indoors of terminal 1 and 2 has been uplifted with over 400 decorative planters and 2,500 plus indoor plants enhancing the indoor microclimate, respectively. It is not only a matter of green spread, shrubs and trees at SVPIA, but also a global approach to ensure sustainable practices at all levels including the implementation of environmental standards and controls, green infrastructures, minimising noise pollution, adopting sustainable best practices, developing fuel efficiency, employing a resource conservation policy dealing with energy and water and systematic recycling. SVPIA has undertaken numerous pioneering and impacting measures. In the near future, a green cover comprising of 20,000 trees has been planned along with a landscape cover comprising of 10,000 sqm shrubs and landscape cover of 20,000 sqm of green carpet lawn. The efficient green practices adopted by SVPIA makes it one of the most sustainable airports globally, providing the best for its passengers today while striving for a sustainable tomorrow. Furthermore, the airport has also worked towards the implementation of its measures through optimal use of its existing resources. SVPIA conforms to the highest safety and security standards through its efficient and easy to use facilities exceeding customer expectations while simultaneously creating value for its stakeholders.

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International flights linking Bangkok, Bangladesh cities to start from Agartala's MBB airport

The international flights from the Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) airport in Agartala would soon start operations connecting Bangkok via Guwahati airport and Chittagong and Dhaka in Bangladesh, Airport Authority of India (AAI) officials said on Saturday. According to the AAI officials, the MBB airport, located 20 km north of the Tripura capital city, in terms of handling of aircraft and passengers is the second busiest airport in northeastern India after Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) Airport in Guwahati. The LGBI and Bir Tikendrajit International Airport in Imphal (Manipur) were earlier declared international airports and the Civil Aviation Ministry before starting the Bangkok and Bangladesh bound flights would soon declare the MBB airport as third international airport in the northeastern region, they said. Water cannon salute was accorded on Saturday after the first flight with 143 passengers on board from Kolkata landed at the new integrated terminal building of MBB Airport, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 4. The commissioning of the new terminal building on Saturday was attended by Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Pratima Bhoumik, who was among the first passengers to embark from the airport on Saturday. A brief cultural function and a famous Hojagiri tribal folk dance was staged by the tribal women artistes on the occasion. Built at a cost of INR 5,00 crore and with a built-up area of 30,000 sq metres, the new integrated terminal building has been designed to handle 1,500 passengers including 200 international passengers during peak hours and it is equipped with all modern amenities, the AAI officials said. The officials said that the new terminal building is considered to be one of the best in the northeastern region and with all modern facilities, the new integrated terminal building would enable over 5,000 passengers footfall per day. The Agartala airport, which was first built in 1942 after the land was donated by the then Tripura king Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur, was used as a technical base for the Royal Air Force during World War II. Agartala airport, earlier known as Singerbill Airport, was renamed after Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur in July 2018. It is being used in a big way by Bangladesh nationals, for whom Agartala sometimes is the first stop to a destination in India or overseas as the airport is much closer to their areas than their own country's airports. Tripura Transport and Tourism Minister Pranajit Singha Roy said that as the MBB airport was already developed with all international facilities and standards, the state government has been urging the central government to initiate operation of flights from this airport to the neighbouring countries. According to historian and writer Pannalal Roy, the land for the Agartala, Kailashahar and various other (now abandoned) airports in Tripura had been donated by the then Tripura kings. "During the Second World War, King Bir Bikram supported and helped the Allied powers, especially Great Britain. He deployed a contingent of the Tripura Army to assist Great Britain. During that time Agartala, Kailashahar and other airports were built to facilitate the Allied powers," Roy, who authored many books on Tripura's royal history, told IANS. He said that in 1943 Japanese fighter planes twice bombarded Agartala airport.

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Keravan Tourism’: Safe like a bubble, comfy like home

The next time Kerala’s spectacular countryside, rollicking backwaters or serene and undulating hill stations pop up on your itinerary, you may find it tempting to opt for a self-contained Home on Wheels, complete with facilities that give the feeling of a home away from home. Yes, we are talking about a caravan holiday. Whether you are a couple, a family looking for quality time together, or a backpacker seeking adventure, caravans offer the freedom of languid, sustainable and responsible travel with a check on hygiene, safety and social distancing. The next time Kerala’s spectacular countryside, rollicking backwaters or serene and undulating hill stations pop up on your itinerary, you may find it tempting to opt for a self-contained Home on Wheels, complete with facilities that give the feeling of a home away from home. Yes, we are talking about a caravan holiday. Whether you are a couple, a family looking for quality time together, or a backpacker seeking adventure, caravans offer the freedom of languid, sustainable and responsible travel with a check on hygiene, safety and social distancing. Caravan tourism is a concept that has gained immense popularity in recent times, owing to the freedom, comfort and flexibility it provides. With the pandemic keeping everyone on tenterhooks, it offers the advantage of an absolutely safe travel bubble from home to destination and back. A travel bubble for everyone sans risks, hassles, long airport delays, unsafe food and public restrooms. Caravans are vehicles are equipped with everything for a smooth ride, and are tipped to be the next big thing for Kerala Tourism after houseboats. The state government has already announced a comprehensive, stakeholder-friendly Caravan Tourism policy, branded as Keravan Kerala, promising customized and close-to-nature travel experiences. “Going by Kerala’s inherent strengths of natural beauty and tourism-friendly culture, Caravan Tourism has immense scope for the state. Besides offering a refreshing experience for the tourists, local communities stand to gain substantially by enabling them to showcase their culture and products before the visitors,” says Mr VR Krishna Teja, Director, Tourism. The policy envisages tourist caravans as safe, comfortable and fully compliant with local and state regulations, providing a homely feeling for the guests. The policy also envisages caravan parks, which need at least 50 cents of land, should have space to accommodate five caravans at a time, with facilities like food parks, rest rooms, activity area and drivers' lodge. A number of these homes come with comfortable beds and recliners, washrooms, solar-powered geysers, Wi-Fi enabled entertainment units, ACs, TV, heaters as well as kitchenettes, equipped with burners, mini-fridge, ovens and more. Add to it the charm of motorised windows, barbeque grills and awnings. The beautiful state, with its eye-popping landscapes ranging from backwaters to hill stations, have a new gamechanger with caravans and caravan parks. Mr Abraham George, Managing Director of Intersight Tours and Travels, feels there will be a good demand for caravans as the recent trend shows that most of the tourists are coming as couples or families and they want to go to less crowded places. The travel company is currently designing hybrid packages that includes caravan tourism. “It will be a big hit with honeymooners because of the privacy and security offered by caravans,” he said. Mr Riyaz UC, Managing Director, Spiceland Holidays, is also elated as he feels that carava

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South Padre Island sees more tourism than prepandemic

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Families and out-of-town visitors are now staying longer during their visits to South Padre Island than before the start of the pandemic. “We see that the reservations are on the increase we see that the people are coming from different places that before they didn’t visit us,” said Teresa Rodriguez, senior manager of communications and marketing at the South Padre Island Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. “Just to name a few cities like Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, people from St. Louis Missouri.” The South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center, a popular tourist destination, said that this is the most visitors that they have ever seen. “I think the last year we’ve had the highest turn out we’ve ever had definitely especially through the summer,” said Javier Gonzalez, the naturalist educator at South Padre Island’s Birding and Nature Center. Rodriguez added that the hotel occupancy tax for December 2021 was up higher than December 2019 pre-pandemic. “The occupancy percentage was 44 percent and right now for December we have approximately 55 percent,” said Rodriguez. Some of the tourism is fueled from Mexico, Rodriguez added. “Since they opened the borders people have been coming here to spend their holidays,” said Rodriguez. The reservations for the projected future also show that the trend will continue, according to Rodriguez. Gonzalez agreed and said he believes more people resorted to outdoor activities during the pandemic. “They were locked up at home, stressed, worried, and you know nature is always a really good solace to turn to,” said Gonzalez. “I think that’s what really drove people here.”

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Hong Kong airport bans transit passengers from 153 nations, including India

Given the current COVID-19 situation, Hong Kong airport has announced a ban on transit passengers from 153 countries (which is most of the world). The government of Hong Kong on Friday made the announcement in order to put a cap on the rising number of COVID-19 cases. Hong Kong is known for following some of the strictest measures throughout the pandemic, including weeks-long quarantine, strict lockdowns and mass testing. Now the special administrative region of China has recognised 153 nations currently and has divided them as Group A (from which arrivals must spend 21 days in quarantine). Hong Kong's airport also stated that people who have been to any of these 153 countries in the last three weeks would be banned from transiting from Sunday (16th January). Eight countries (Group A), including India, Pakistan, Canada, France, the Philippines, Australia, Britain and the United States have been already banned from arriving in Hong Kong. As of now, Hong Kong is suffering from the Omicron outbreak that began with returning Cathay Pacific flight crew who happened to breach home quarantine rules. Since then, all COVID restrictions have been reimposed including social distancing, closing gymnasiums and stopping the operation of restaurants after 6 PM.

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Unravel the natural charm of Pandipathu in Thiruvananthapuram

Many destinations don’t find a place on the bucket list of travellers for the simple reason that they don’t know such places exist. One such spot is Pandipathu in the Thiruvananthapuram district. Even the hardcore travel junkies, who boast of knowing all the tourist destinations in Thiruvananthapuram like the palms of their hands, may not be aware of Pandipathu, which has outstanding natural beauty. This place oozing with the wild vibe is situated in the vicinity of the Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary and is replete with wild buffaloes or ‘gaurs’. Besides wild buffaloes, Pandipathu also houses elephants, tigers, bears and lion-tailed macaques. The varied flora and fauna and the rolling grasslands can captivate any traveller stepping into this eco-tourism spot. This picturesque destination with rustic charm is nearly 60km away from Thiruvananthapuram city. If you are into hiking and trekking, then Pandipathu is the right place for you as it provides numerous opportunities for adventure sports. It is worth noting that this point of interest in near popular tourist destinations such as Ponmudi, Meenmutty and Bonacaud.

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