Project "Clean Destination" was launched in the Responsible Tourism Mission of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board at Khajuraho on Sunday in the presence of Governor Mangubhai Patel. Tourism and Culture Minister Sushri Usha Thakur, Mineral Minister Brijendra Pratap Singh and Khajuraho MP VD Sharma were also present.
An MoU was signed at Karnavati Interpretation Centre, Madla between the Tourism Board and partner organisation Sahas to operate the project. In the first phase of the pilot project, 30 villages around Panna National Park will be developed as clean destinations.
Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture Sheoshekhar Shukla informed that work will be done in the direction of solid waste management in the project. Tourist places and nearby villages will be developed as clean destinations through community awareness, cleanliness and waste management.
Advisor Amit Singh told about the schemes being run by the Tourism Board through a short film on Responsible Tourism Mission. Sonia Garg, representative of Sahas Sanstha and Rajesh Ayapilla and Rajiv Gupta from Coca-Cola India and South-West Asia, gave a presentation of the project implementation strategy.Governor Patel, Minister Thakur and Singh, MP Shri Sharma also visited the Art and Craft Centre run by Technical Cooperation Society at Madla under the Board's Responsible Souvenir Project. They discussed with women beneficiaries and learned about the process of training and product preparation.
Also expressed happiness on skill enhancement and livelihood earning of women through community based tourism and motivated for quality and marketing. They also visited the home-stay run by the tribal woman Sushri Rambai to learn about the work being done in rural tourism.
All the guests also tasted the traditional Bundelkhandi delicacies sitting near the choolha. The calendar of District Tourism, Culture and Archaeological Council Panna was also released. Collector Panna Saurabh Mishra, concerned officials of tourism department and district administration and tourists were present.