Lakshadweep is planning to open its doors for tourism. The authorities have decided to invite investors to strengthen the tourism sector in the islands, while protecting the ecology and inhabitants of the islands.
Lakshadweep MP Mohammed Faizal A B told reporters in Kochi on Wednesday that several tourism projects for the union territory were under consideration.
Until recently, Lakshadweep did not seriously consider tourism as revenue generating sector. There has not been any tourism policy for the Union Territory. Now a tourism policy will be formulated as per the report of Justice Raveendran Committee.
“Once monsoon season ends, we will come up with the notification, inviting investments in the tourism projects,” said Faizal.
Ten islands out of 12 in Lakshadweep will be opted for tourism development. Minicoy, Kadmat, Agatti, Chetlat, Bitra, Bangaram, Suheli, Kalpeni, Thinakarra and Cheriyan are the islands those going to be tourism destinations. Five of the islands are inhabited. While promoting tourism in the islands, preservation of ecology will be of utmost importance.
“We will adopt a comprehensive approach for tourism promotion in the islands. These are ecologically fragile areas and promotion of tourism will be with certain guidelines. There are limitations like the availability of potable water, electricity and waste management. Companies interested to invest in the tourism sector should be able to self-generate the requirements,” said Faizal.
An Island Development Agency (IDA) was constituted last year as part of the Central Ministry’s Island Development policy for Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The objective of IDA is to formulate and implement programmes for the holistic development of islands, which include key infrastructure projects, digital connectivity, green energy, desalination plants, waste management, promotion of fisheries and tourism-based projects.
