Union Minister reviews “Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan” Project

Union Minister reviews “Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan” Project

The Government of India recently took a review meeting of the “Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan” project in New Delhi.

About the Project

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has launched the “Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan” project which is a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, Archaeological Survey of India and State/ UTs Government for developing tourism amenities at heritage/ natural/ tourist sites spread across India for making them tourist friendly, in a planned and phased manner.

Aim of the Project

The project aims to encourage companies from public sector, private sector, corporate citizens, NGOs, individuals and other stakeholders to become ‘Monument Mitras’ and take up the responsibility of developing and upgrading the basic and advanced tourist amenities at these sites as per their interest and viability in terms of a sustainable investment model under CSR. They would also look after the Operation & Maintenance of the same.

Objectives of the Project

The basic objective of the project is to develop tourism amenities at heritage/ natural/ tourist sites spread across India for making them tourist friendly, in a planned and phased manner. Besides it some of other objective of this scheme are to-

• Develop facilities and amenities to improve the tourist experience at heritage sites, monuments, natural sites and tourist sites.
• Promote cultural and heritage value of the country and develop avenues to create awareness about the heritage/natural/tourist sites in the country
• Develop and promote sustainable tourism infrastructure and ensure proper Operations and Maintenance therein.
• Develop employment opportunities and support livelihoods of local communities at heritage sites.

Key Features of the Project

• The sites/monuments are selected on the basis of tourist footfall and visibility and can be adopted by private and public sector companies and individuals — known as Monument Mitras — for an initial period of five years.
• The Monument Mitras are selected by the ‘oversight and vision committee,’ co-chaired by the Tourism Secretary and the Culture Secretary on the basis of the bidder’s ‘vision’ for development of all amenities at the heritage site.
• There is no financial bid involved. The corporate sector is expected to use corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds for the upkeep of the site.