Thinking of a beach holiday? Goa, too common? Maldives, too expensive? Puducherry, too humid? Your next beach destination can be Lakshadweep as the island administration will now open up 12 islands for tourists.
This move has been implemented as a part of the government initiative for the development of islands. The islands that have been taken up for development include Minicoy, Bangaram, Suheli, Cherium, Tinnakara, Kalpeni, Kadmat, Agatti, Chetlat and Bitra.
ALSO READ: Soon London will be just two hours away from New York
Director of tourism in Lakshadweep Balram Meena said, according to the reports, “Since Lakshadweep is an ecologically sensitive area, great care has been taken in planning the measures. Lakshadweep has immense potential for growth, but we have observed that over the years, tourist influx has somewhat stagnated. The current effort is not only to ramp up tourism but to also open up the island cluster to public, private and public-private partnership model of investments to create more employment for Lakshadweep islanders.”
A public-private partnership has been developed as a part of which the government has started inviting eco-friendly resorts and scuba diving centres. To ensure that no ecological damage comes to the islands, the administration, as part of the Island Management Plan, has finalised suitability reports for each island and also specified carrying capacity in each case. “Every island will have its unique features, from fishing to agriculture and development of medicinal plants-…we want to showcase Lakshadweep as a jewel in India’s crown,” Meena said.