KHUSBOO GUJARAT KI: HOW NAMO MADE IT A SUCCESS
Monday, 15 July 2013 | Nayan Dave | AHMEDABAD
BJP Campaign Committee chief Narendra Modi on Sunday raised a point on how India’s tourism potential is still underutilised during his address to youth at historic Fergusson College in Pune.
He could tap tourism potential of Gujarat through much talked about campaign “Khusboo Gujarat Ki”, for which Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited roped in Bollywood Icon Amitabh Bachchan.
A classic example of the successful campaign is the only abode of Asiatic lions — Gir Sanctuary. Just couple of years back, tourism infrastructure in Sasan Gir was limited. Those who used to visit Gir were not willing to stay overnight. Despite many places of tourist interest near Gir area including historical Junagadh, hardly few tourists were taking pain to visit the mountain town.
However, the campaign created awareness not only on Gir but also on historical importance and picturesque sites of Junagadh. Now, the capital city of erstwhile Babi Nawabs remains inevitable part in the itinerary of Sasan bound tourists.
The situation completely changed post-Amitabh Bachchan campaign. Approach roads to Sasan have also improved. Suddenly Gir area became centre of attraction for businessmen too. Since 2011, numbers of tourists are constantly increasing that encourage many companies to start hotels in the vicinity of Gir. In couple of years, four 5-star category resorts came up apart from plethora of budget hotels.
“Even local people have started home-stay business with famous Kathiawadi cuisine. Earlier it was not the case,” said Karsan Rathod, a Sasan Gir resident, who started offering home-stay at his Kesar Mango Orchard near Sasan. Land prices have shot-up five to 10 folds. Local people are the most beneficiaries and reaping the fruits of tourism development.
From October 2012 to June 2013, Gir area witnessed 21 per cent rise in numbers of visitors. During the period, 4.16 lakhs tourists visited the sanctuary. Revenue of the sanctuary also increased at 19 per cent. This year it was `5.1 crore.
“Most encouraging factor is, numbers of high-end tourists are increasing. Last year foreign tourists increased by 33 per cent,” said Sandeep Kumar, Deputy Conservator of Forest at Sasan Gir.
Another encouraging factor is counts of lions are also increasing. According to year 2010 census, there are 411 lions in the Gir. Sources in the State forest department say that in the next census, the count may cross 450.
The Gir Sanctuary remains close every year between June 15 and October 15 during mating period of Asiatic Lions. Presently there are 162 lionesses. Of them 50-55 will involve in mating activity.
Around 35 of them are likely to give birth to cubs. Besides, there are 97 fully grown lions in Gir jungle.
Of them around 80 are capable for mating. Thus there are 40 pairs of capable lions. The jungle has at present 77 younger lions. 23 of them are male while 23 female. Sex of 29 cubs is yet to be determined.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/khusboo-gujarat-ki-how-namo-made-it-a-success.html
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