The Union government plans to establish Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) at approximately 100 tourist sites across India, aiming to foster a holistic environment and promote local community involvement in preserving heritage and tourism assets.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the initiative, spearheaded by Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, seeks to address challenges such as encroachment, congestion, and lack of civic amenities that often hinder the potential of historical and cultural sites beyond centrally protected monuments.
Centrally protected monuments, maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), are already subject to strict buffer zones, including a 100-meter prohibited area and a further 200-meter regulated zone. The Centre, through the Culture Ministry, is responsible for maintaining the sanctity of these sites. However, state-protected monuments often lack similar legal frameworks for their surrounding areas, leading to the proliferation of human dwellings and urban clusters, according to Minister Shekhawat, who also holds the portfolio of Union Culture Minister.
The Minister highlighted that while a sense of social consciousness regarding the economic importance of monuments is emerging in India, it is not solely the government’s responsibility to manage these destinations. He emphasized that destination management should be a collective effort, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for creating DMOs to synchronize and synthesize the entire ecosystem related to a particular tourist location.
Citing the successful example of Ekta Nagar, the site of the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, as a model for destination management, Minister Shekhawat stated that states have been urged to create similar DMOs for their prime destinations. He revealed that a recent meeting with state secretaries involved detailed presentations on the necessity, methodology, roadmap, implementation strategy, and the powers, including quasi-judicial authority, that these DMOs should possess.
States have reportedly accepted the idea with enthusiasm, agreeing to establish DMOs at their respective key tourist destinations. The Minister anticipates that these organizations will provide a comprehensive approach to destination management.
Minister Shekhawat also drew a parallel with Indore, which achieved its status as the cleanest city in the country through the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders. Regarding the structure and leadership of the DMOs, he explained that states would be responsible for their establishment, with each state envisioning a unique framework. Some states have opted to appoint independent senior bureaucrats from the respective cities to head these DMOs, while in other instances, District Magistrates have been empowered to act as DMO authorities.
The Union Minister acknowledged India’s vast diversity and stated that a uniform system for all destinations is not feasible. Therefore, each state will establish DMOs tailored to its local framework and chosen destinations. The initial phase aims to cover around 100 prominent travel destinations across the country.
The Chenab Times News Desk