News

Night-Sky Tourism Kicks Off in Jaipur

If you love gazing stars, then we have good news! In a bid to boost tourism, Rajasthan government has launched the unique night sky tourism in Jaipur. And what’s the best part? It will be free of cost. Also Read - ‘Away From Gadgets’ – A Mountaineering Camp in the Lap of Mother Nature! State Minister of Arts and Culture, B.D. Kalla, in the presence of Chief Secretary Niranjan Arya, launched the project on Thursday aimed at garnering more tourists into the desert state. The Department of Science and Technology will focus on specific astronomical events that happen from time to time. The immediate line-up is: *Tourists will be shown the Moon from Jawahar Kala Kendra on the day. *Saturn, Jupiter, Venus and Mercury will be shown from Jantar Mantar on February 11. *Albert Hall will show Jupiter and Mercury conjunctions on March 5. *Mercury will be shown from Amber Fort May 17. *On May 26, Amber Durg will show the biggest moon of the year 2021. *Venus will be shown from Albert Hall on July 3. Kalla said the night sky tourism will create awareness among people about science and astronomy and will help students and researchers interested in celestial objects to observe them through telescopes. The Minister further said that separate spots will be created in the city from where tourists can enjoy the night sky. Night sky tourism will give a boost to tourism as well as create scientific thinking among the general public, he added. Watching the serene sky, Arya said that watching the moon in a new form is a new experience. It is a unique experience to see the pits on the surface of the moon so clearly, he also called it a new beginning as it is expected to create curiosity among people to think in a new direction and learn about Akash Ganga. Secretary of Art and Culture and Science and Technology, Mugdha Sinha said: “The state government’s objective is to inculcate scientific thinking among people, to make people aware about the happenings in nature in a scientific way. “For this, night sky tourism has started. This facility will be available to the people free of cost. As per the astronomical scenario every month, this facility will be available free of cost at different places on different days.

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Odisha: World’s largest white crocodile park reopens

Odisha's Bhitarkanika National Park, which is home to the world's largest white crocodile park in Kendrapara district, is now open for tourists. As per the news reports, a huge footfall was reported on the first day of reopening. Many people visited the spot with family and friends. While talking to the media, a tourist stated that their group visited the spot for a picnic at Bhitarkanika National Park. He added that the weather is pleasant, and is hopeful of the fact that with the park’s opening, the spot will definitely witness a boost in tourism. Bhitarkanika National Park with its rich, lush green eco-system lies in the estuarine region of Brahmani-Baitarani River. Bhitarkanika is home to India’s second largest mangrove ecosystem after the Sunderbans. It is essentially a network of canals and creeks that are swamped with waters from rivers Baitarani, Brahmani, Patasala, and Dhamra forming a unique ecosystem. It is also home to the largest congregation of endangered saltwater crocodiles in the country. To reach the spot, you will first have to reach Cuttack, which is situated around 140 km from Bhitarkanika National Park. You can also either take a train, bus, or a cab from Cuttack to reach Bhadrak, which is situated around 70 km away from Bhitarkanika. All in all, a trip to Bhitarkanika will be a memorable one. Make sure you make a prior booking for accommodation before visiting Bhitarkanika. Highlights of this place include mangrove vegetation, pristine landscapes, white crocodiles, rivers, and colourful birds that will keep you engaged throughout.

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Direct flights between Nashik and Belgaum flagged off

The first direct flight operations between Nashik (Maharashtra) and Belgaum (Karnataka) have started under the RCS-UDAN (Regional Connectivity Scheme — Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik). Operationalizing of this route expands the aerial connectivity of Belgaum to the 10 destinations across India. The Belgaum airport has emerged as the third busiest airport in terms of traffic in the state, after Bengaluru and Mangaluru. Officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Airport Authority of India (AAI) were present at the launch of the flight operations. Till now, 311 routes have been operationalized under the UDAN scheme. Several requests were received to start the Belgaum-Nashik route considering the non-availability of any direct flight/train operations between these cities. Nasik is a big tourist and business destination. Being one of the four pilgrimage sites that organises Kumbh Mela, and the gateway city for the Shirdi Sai Temple & Trimbakeshwar Temple, the city attracts lakhs of tourists every year. Additionally, due to the presence of majority of India's vineyards and wineries in the city, Nashik is also known as the Grape and Wine capital of India and attracts business community. Now, people can travel at ease by opting for a flight of just 60 minutes. Star Air was awarded the Belgaum-Nashik route during the UDAN 3 bidding process. The airline is being provided Viability Gap Funding (VGF) under the UDAN scheme to keep the fares affordable & accessible for the common people. The airline will be operating thrice-weekly flights on the route and will deploy its 50-seater Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft. The route marks the commencement of the 15th UDAN route by the airline.

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Maha government signs INR 2,905-crore MoUs to boost tourism

The Maharashtra government on Monday inked MoUs worth Rs 2,905 crore with various entities from the hospitality sector to encourage tourism in the state, where more than 6,750 jobs will be generated under the agreements. The MoUs will help create tourism facilities like hotels, resorts, wellness centres, health farm, theme park and meditation centres in parts of the state and generate 6,754 jobs, an official statement said. The MoUs were signed in the presence of Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray and Minister of State for Tourism Aditi Tatkare on the occasion of National Tourism Day on Monday, the statement said. The state government has accorded industry status to the hospitality sector and the number of licences required (to start a venture) has been reduced. "We will take important steps to encourage tourism in the future, too, Thackeray said, according to the statement.

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Canada might ask returning travellers to quarantine in hotels

New quarantine rules could be imposed in Canada, and according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, there could be a mandatory hotel quarantine for returning travellers. The Canadian government is thinking of such new rules in light of the new strain of virus that is known to be more contagious. With the help of mandatory hotel quarantine the government is looking to stop it from spreading. Prime Minister Tradeau further warned against non-essential travel, and said in a statement, “No one should be taking a vacation abroad right now. If you’ve still got one planned, cancel it. And don’t book a trip for spring break.” The new strain has already got the government in the United Kingdom worried about its effects in the country, and most other countries across the world are being cautious. Some reports have suggested that it could be even deadlier than it was previously thought to be. Apart from the UK, the strain has also been found in South Africa, and Brazil. In Canada, the current rule is that travellers entering into the country are required to go under quarantine for a period of 14 days. They are also required to show a COVID-19 negative test upon arrival, which must be a maximum of three days old. The Candian government is hoping that these new rules of quarantine will discourage people from taking non-essential and thus stop the spread of the virus in the country.

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You can soon hop on a new train from Delhi to Mau

Indian Railways flagged off a special train from Delhi to Mau in Uttar Pradesh, heeding a proposal from former IAS officer Arvind Kumar Sharma. The special train was started on Sunday, January 24, and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal announced the commencement of the new train service new train via a tweet. He mentioned that along with the beginning of COVID vaccination, the train service will help the people of the area and help boost economic activities. Historically and archaeologically, Mau aka Maunath Bhanjan is one of the oldest destinations in Uttar Pradesh. Several old archaeological remains have been found in the area to give proof of human inhabitation since ages. It is believed that 1500 years ago Mau was covered under thick dense forest. The people who used to live close to Mau’s Tamsa river are believed to be the oldest dwellers and the ruler of the area. Mau is also eastern UP’s industrial town. It is one of the last hubs of the textile industry in the state after the death of textile centres in Varanasi and Mubarakpur. Mau is also a deeply religious and spiritual destination, considering the ancient temples located at idyllic sites in and around the town. Tourists in Mau can also visit the Van Devi Mandir, Muktidham Temple and a park located on the banks of Ghagra river situated in Dohrighaat town of Mau and Sheetla Mata Mandir.

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