Gujarat to follow Kerala model for Ayurvedic tourism
The government of Gujarat is planning to promote Ayurvedic tourism, learnt from the success story of Kerala in the sector. A campaign launched by the Tourism Ministry promoted by Bollywood super star Amitabh Bachan, in this line was very promising. The government will start 10 wellness centers this year with a cost of Rs 5 crores. The centers will offer both preventive and curative treatments to the tourists.
“We will be holding meetings with the forest and tourism departments shortly and will start the project on a PPP (Public private partnership) basis. We will be targeting popular eco-tourism destinations and use existing infrastructure of the state government,” said Punamchand Parmar, Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department.
“We will also engage Ayurvedic practitioners to offer treatments like Shirodhara, Panchkarma, Rasayana Chikitsa (therapy) etc.,” he added.
Ayurveda, one of the oldest healthcare care systems originated in India, is getting global acceptance these days. It combines medicine and philosophy and promotes wellness of mind, body and soul. According to sources, the Gujarat government initiative will see the coming together of the health, AYUSH, forest and tourism departments besides the Pavitra Yatradham Board.
As disclosed by an official, the resources that possessed by the state in the form of sea, forests, mountains and deserts could be utilized for the Ayurvedic tourism project. As new construction is not allowed on protected forest land, existing infrastructure of the state government will be used. In the coming days, Ayurvedic practitioners will be given grades and a committee will be formulated for the same. While the Ayush department provides its expertise, the Tourism department will carry out the marketing of the wellness centres.