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Tharu village along Indo-Nepal border to be developed as a tourism spot

A village along the Indo-Nepal border that is dominated by the Tharu tribe, will be developed as a tourist destination under the Uttar Pradesh government's One District, One Eco Tourism Spot scheme. Elaborating more on this, Bahraich Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) stated that as per the scheme, eco-tourism centres are developed in districts and forest divisions to lure tourists. He added that Katarniaghat Forest Division already has an operational eco-tourism centre, but there was no such place in Bahraich. That's one of the major reasons why the Tharu tribe dominated Balaigaon village, along the Indo-Nepal border, has been selected for it. He also added that as the spot is devoid of any trees in a particular zone, there will be no need of cutting trees to develop tourism facilities. The picturesque forest area is home to leopards, hyena, tigers, and wild boars, he added. The DFO emphasised that since the Tharu tribals still maintained their cultural practices and traditions, the primary focus of developing the spot would be to attract Nepalese tourists. As per the forest policy to attract tourists, roads, accommodation options, and other necessary facilities are being developed, he stated. Tourist park and nature walk track will also be developed in the green belt, and ponds in the area will be also developed to attract Siberian birds. During the first phase, the government would spend INR 2 crore on the project. Reportedly, the eco-tourism facility will feature a 10-km long safari track, four specially designed vehicles equipped with trained drivers and guides for jungle safari, and four Tharu huts. There will be a Tharu canteen too that will serve traditional food to tourists. Reports have it that UP Eco Tourism Corporation will operate the tourist destination through online bookings.

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India is taking up the need for countries to ease travel restrictions

India has been taking up the need for countries to ease travel restrictions on it given the improvement in the pandemic situation in the country, a senior government official said on Thursday. More than half of the countries in the 27 member European Union (EU) have recognized the India manufactured Covishield vaccine co-developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, Indian foreign ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi told reporters at a foreign ministry briefing. When asked if India had been pressing foreign governments to reverse their travel bans on Asia’s third largest economy given the steady decline in the number of covid-19 cases in the country, Bagchi said the matter had been taken up at various levels and various platforms. “We believe this easing (of travel restrictions) will be an important step towards economic recovery post covid for all our countries. There have been come positive steps in this direction of easing of restrictions and we hope that more countries will continue to take steps towards normalizing movement of people from India," Bagchi said. India had put in place travel bubbles with about three dozen countries in the world in the wake of the first wave of covid-19 infections in the country last year that had enabled mobility of people – especially those of Indians stuck abroad. But countries clamped down on travel from India earlier this year after India was affected by a particularly brutal second wave of covid19 infections in April-May. The second wave saw a record number of infections fuelled by the Delta variant of the novel coronavirus seen as a particularly virulent strain. The total number of covid-19 cases in India now stands at more than 31 million with the death toll at more than 419,000. Earlier this week, the US revised its travel advisory for India, lowering it from the highest Level 4, which means no travel, to Level 3, which urges citizens to reconsider travel.

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IATA asks governments to allow use of antigen tests for travellers

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), the airlines industry body, has asked governments to address the high cost of covid-19 tests and urged flexibility in permitting the use of cost-effective antigen tests as an alternative to more expensive PCR tests, it said in a statement on Thursday. IATA has also recommended governments to adopt recent World Health Organization (WHO) guidance to consider exempting vaccinated travelers from testing requirements. “IATA supports Covid-19 testing as a pathway to reopen borders to international travel. But our support is not unconditional. In addition to being reliable, testing needs to be easily accessible, affordable, and appropriate to the risk level," IATA director general Willie Walsh said. "Too many governments, however, are falling short on some or all of these. The cost of testing varies widely between jurisdictions, with little relation to the actual cost of conducting the test," Walsh added. IATA said that according to its latest traveler survey, 86% of respondents are willing to get tested while 70% of respondents believe that the cost of testing is a significant barrier to travel, and 78% believe governments should bear the cost of mandatory testing. "Provided a confirmatory RT-PCR test is administered for positive test results, WHO guidance sees Ag-RDT antigen testing as an acceptable alternative to PCR," IATA said in the statement.

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IRCTC Launches Special Tourism Packages for Chardham

Good news for devotees! IRCTC has recently announced a lucrative tour package to all the ‘char dhams’. It has introduced an all inclusive “Char Dham Yatra” Rail tour package by Dekho Apna Desh Deluxe Tourists train covering the visit of most prominent pilgrimage Char Dham’s – Badrinath, Jagannath Puri, Rameshwaram & Dwarkadhish across the India in 16 days. The tour will start on 17 October 2021 and the train will depart from Delhi Safdarjung. There will be 48 seats in second AC and and 72 seats in first AC. According to IRCTC, COVID-19 Vaccination (at least one vaccine dose) is mandatory for travellers of age group 18 and above. The following destinations will be covered in the 15 Nights/16 Days IRCTC Char Dham Yatra Tour Package: Badrinath: Badrinath Temple, Mana Village & Narsingha Temple (Joshimath). Rishikesh: Lakshman Jhulla & Triveni Ghat. Puri: Jagannath temple, Golden Beach of Puri, Konark Sun Temple & Chandrabhaga Beach. Rameshwaram: Ramnathswami temple & Dhanushkodi. Dwarka: Dwarkadhish Temple, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Shivrajpur beach & Bet Dwarka The cost Roughly, the tour package starts at Rs 78,585 per person for 15 nights and 16 days. The 1AC class will cost: Rs 109595 for single occupancy, Rs 97195 for twin, Rs 95500 for triple; Rs 87290 for child with bed and Rs 84725 for child without bed. The 2AC class will cost: Rs 90985 for single occupancy, Rs 78585 for twin, Rs 76895 for triple; Rs 68675 for child with bed and Rs 66120 for child without bed. What are included in the tour package? The tour package will include a comfortable journey by special tourist train in first AC/second AC class, six nights stay in deluxe category available accommodation, nine nights stay in respective rail coaches during overnight train journey, onboard train meals (veg only), off board meals (veg only) in good hotels, travel insurance, all transfers and sightseeing in air-conditioned vehicles, travelling of IRCTC Tour Managers throughout the tour for necessary assistance and all applicable taxes. What are not included in the tour package? However, the tour package will not include boating, adventure sports, etc., choice of menu, any room service, cost of sightseeing, entrance and local guides, etc., all kind of tips to waiters, drivers, guides, representative, fuel surcharge, etc., personal expenses such as mineral water, laundry expenses, food and drinks. Also, AC transport will not be available in the hills. According to the IRCTC guidelines, COVID-19 Vaccination (at least one vaccine dose) is mandatory for travellers of age group 18 and above.

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IRCTC Tourism offers a 7-day tour to Leh-Ladakh

IRCTC Tourism is offering a tour package of six nights and seven days to Leh-Ladakh at tariffs starting from ₹ 32000 per person. The tour will start from Ahmedabad, IRCTC said on microblogging site Twitter. The tour provided by IRCTC or Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation from Ahmedabad will commence on 27 August and 10 September. The journey from Mumbai to Leh will be via IndiGo, according to the IRCTC Tourism's website - irctctourism.com. The route includes Ahmedabad-Leh-Nubra-Turtuk-Pangong-Leh-Ahmedabad. Tour Itinerary: Day 1 Leh Arrival Departure from Ahmedabad airport. Arrival at Leh, transfer to the hotel. Check in at hotel. We advise you to spend the rest of the day at leisure so you can quickly acclimatize to the high altitude. A relaxed day exploring Market visit and sufficient rest to adjust to the oxygen level. Overnight in Leh. [L/D] Day 02: Leh - Sham Valley- Leh (75 km 02 hrs one way) After breakfast, proceed for Sightseeing on the Leh- Srinagar Highway. Visit the Hall of Fame (A Museum developed by the Indian Army), Kali Mandir Temple and Gurudwara Patthar Sahib (A Gurudwara constructed and maintained by the Indian Army). Visit to Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace. Proceed further and experience the effects of Magnetic Hill (Defiance of the law of gravity wherein a vehicle starts climbing up the hill when put in a neutral position) and admire the confluence of holy Indus and Zanskar, Proceed to Alchi and Likir and return to Leh for an overnight stay. [B/L/D] Day 03: Leh - Nubra After breakfast, drive to Nubra Valley via Khardungla pass. The road is considered to be the highest motorable road of the world . En-route admire the spectacular views of the never ending mountain ranges around the Khardungla pass. Check-in to the camp. After lunch Visit to Dikshit and Hunder Villages, monasteries to take a stroll around the place to see the life style of people living at the northernmost region of India. Enjoy camel Safari (optional – on own arrangement) in the evening. Return back to hotel. Overnight stay in Nubra Valley. [B/L/D] Day 04: Nubra – Turtuk – Nubra Post breakfast drive to Turtuk (A village that was won by India in the 1971 war with Pakistan). On arrival explore Turtuk valley. It was once used to carry the trade material on silk route. Retrn back to Nubra. Overnight stay at Nubra Valley. [B/L/D] Day 05: Nubra Valley - Pangong After an early breakfast proceed to Pangong. Pangong Lake is a salt water body of 120 km in length and 6 – 7 Km broad at the longest point. It is bisected by the international border between India & China (2/3 of the lake is in China’s possession). Visit the exact location of the famous movie “Three idiots" & enjoy outing along the banks of the lake. One really feels very close to nature at Pangong Lake with its scenic surroundings. On a clear sunny day, you can see seven colour formations in the crystal clear salt water lake. Overnight stay in Pangong. [B/L/D] Day 06: Pangong – Leh via Changla In the early morning, enjoy the picturesque view of Sunrise on the lake. After Breakfast, drive back to Leh, en route visit Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace. On arrival check in at hotel. Evening free time to explore the market. [B/L/D] Day 07: Leh Airport Drop After breakfast in the morning, Checkout from hotel and Transfer to Leh Airport to board flight for Ahmedabad. Above itinerary is only a proposed / indicative outline, IRCTC/Local tour operator reserves the right to change as per the operational feasibility.

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Govt to set up infrastructure development corp in Ladakh

The union cabinet on Thursday approved the establishment of an Integrated Multi-purpose Infrastructure Development Corporation in Ladakh. Presently there is no similar organization in Ladakh and the approval has an inherent potential for employment generation as the corporation will be promoting industry, tourism, transport and marketing of local products and handicrafts. “The corporation will also work as main construction agency for infrastructure development in Ladakh," the cabinet said in a statement. “The establishment of corporation will result in the inclusive and integrated development of the Union Territory of Ladakh. This will, in turn, ensure socio-economic development of the entire region and population of the Union Territory," it said. The corporation will further push domestic production of goods and services and will facilitate their smooth supply. Thus, the approval will help in realizing the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat, the union cabinet claimed. Consequent to the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir as per the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the Union Territory of Ladakh (without Legislature) came into existence on 31 Oct 2019. The cabinet said that Ladakh had sent a proposal for the establishment of the corporation, which was recommended by the Committee on Establishment Expenditure of Ministry of Finance. The union cabinet also approved the plan to establish a central university in Ladakh at a cost of ₹750 crore. Union minister Anurag Thakur said this will address regional imbalances in education as the newly carved union territory does not have top-class higher educational institutions, unlike Jammu and Kashmir.

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