Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that sustainable development of tourism sector is the State Government's priority.
This would be done keeping environment in view. Chouhan said that at the Cabinet meeting held at Hanuwantiya it was decided to constitute a tourism cabinet and amend the tourism policy. An airstrip will be developed at Hanuwantiya, he added. Chouhan was addressing the inaugural function of the water festival at Hanuwantiya on Friday.
Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu, Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Surendra Patwa, MP and State BJP president Nand Kumar Singh Chouhan and State Tourism Development Corporation's chairman Tapan Bhowmik were also present on the occasion.
Chouhan said that Madhya Pradesh will be made pioneer in all sectors. Today, launch of Smart City Project is being made in Indore. He thanked Union Minister Naidu for selection of three cities in Madhya Pradesh under the Smart City project.
Naidu said that he was pleased to see natural beauty and massive water body at Hanuwantiya. He hoped to see a new look of Hanuwantiya when he visits it next time. Its beauty is beyond imagination which cannot be described in words.
Naidu said that it is the result of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's innovation, research and study that such a beautiful tourist destination has been developed. He congratulated the Chief Minister for continuous increase in agriculture growth rate and conferment of Krishi Karman Award for consecutive 4th year to MP. He described Chouhan as 'All-in-one' saying that Madhya Pradesh will become pioneer State in the country under Chouhan's leadership.
Naidu inspected Hanuwantiya tourism complex. On the occasion, awardees of ATOI Convention were felicitated. Hanuwantiya was conferred the award for 'Best Adventure Tourism Indian State in Innovation in Creating Adventure Destination'.
An MoU was also signed between the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation and the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOI) to impart training in adventure tourism to the youths. ATOI's office-bearer Akshya Kumar described Hanuwantiya as a new tourist destination of India.
During the 10-day event, a tent city near Hanuwantiya has been decorated attractively and illuminated colourfully. As many as 120 Swiss cottages have also been constructed. Battery-run golf carts are being used for internal transport. At the inaugural function, folk dancers from Mandla district gave attractive performance. A large number of domestic and foreign tourists attended the function.