The Government is mulling to substitute petrol, diesel and kerosene in boats operating at tourists spots across the country with environment-friendly CNG/LPG fuel. This was stated by Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan at a virtual event held here on the occasion of World Tourism Day marked on Sunday.

Talking about sustainable environment, the Minister said that he was keen to take it further by susbstituting petrol, diesel, kerosene etc in operating boats at tourist sports  with CNG/LPG which are pollution-free.

In fact, in Varanasi an initiative has already been undertaken in this regard with the local administration after consultation with the locals are planning to replace the pollution causing petrol driven boats at over 84 ghats of the Ganga river with the green fuel CNG.

Pradhan also emphasised upon using battery operated vehicles in and around tourist spots.

With Covid-19 playing spoilsports with the international travel, Union Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel urged every citizen to visit at least 15 destinations in the country by 2022 to promote domestic tourism.

He said that the Ministry has launched the Dekho Apna Desh (DAD) initiative early this year with the objective of creating awareness among the citizens about the rich heritage and culture of the country, encouraging citizens to travel widely within the country and enhancing tourist footfalls leading to development of local economy and creation of jobs at the local level.

To create mass awareness, the Ministry has also launched an online DAD pledge and Quiz on the MyGov.in platform. The online pledge and Quiz are open to all for participation.

Patel further said that the programme will help in enhancing the overall experience of the tourists, who would benefit from the knowledge of the local tourist facilitators and it will also help in creating employment opportunities even in the remotest parts of the country.

This year United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has designated 2020 as the Year of Tourism and Rural Development. “This Year is an opportunity to promote the potential of tourism to create jobs and opportunities.

It can also advance inclusion and highlight the unique role tourism can play in preserving and promoting natural and cultural heritage and curbing urban migration,” said a senior official from the Ministry.