25-Jul-2022: Tourism Ministry has formulated National Strategy for Adventure Tourism to promote India as a preferred adventure tourism destination globally

Ministry of Tourism has recognised Adventure Tourism as a Niche Tourism Product, which inter alia includes Water Sports activities, to promote India as a 365 days destination and attract tourist with specific interest.

To position India as a preferred destination for adventure tourism globally, Ministry of Tourism has formulated a National Strategy for Adventure Tourism. Following strategic pillars have been identified in the strategy document for development of adventure tourism:

1. State assessment, ranking and strategy
2. Skills, capacity building and certification
3. Marketing and promotion
4. Strengthening adventure tourism safety management framework
5. National and State-level rescue and communication grid
6. Destination and Product Development
7. Governance and Institutional Framework

A National Board for Adventure Tourism has been constituted under the Chairpersonship of Secretary (Tourism), comprising of representatives from identified Central Ministries/ organizations, State Governments/UT Administrations and Industry Stakeholders, with the objective of operationalization and implementation of the strategy to promote and develop adventure tourism in the Country covering:

1. Detailed action plan and formulation of dedicated scheme
2. Certification Scheme
3. Safety guidelines
4. Capacity building, replication of national and global best practices
5. Assessment of state policies and ranking
6. Marketing and promotion
7. Destination and product development
8. Private sector participation
9. Specific strategies for adventure tourism
10. Any other measures for growth of adventure tourism in the country.

Apart from the above, Ministry of Tourism, through National Institute for Water Sports (NIWS), Goa, provides training to water sports operators through various skill developing courses and certify the trainees.

In addition, Coastal Circuit was identified as one of the thematic circuits under the Scheme of Swadesh Darshan for providing financial assistance to States/UT Administrations for infrastructure development.

10-Apr-2022: New tourism facilities for Seema Darshan at Nadabet in Banaskantha district of Gujarat

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah today inaugurated the newly constructed tourism facilities for Seema Darshan at Nadabet in Banaskantha district of Gujarat. Shri Amit Shah addressed the Nadabet Border Outpost Sainik Sammelan and also interacted with the jawans. Several dignitaries including the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel and the Director General of Border Security Force (BSF) were present on the occasion.

In his address on the occasion, the Union Home Minister said that any border guarding organisation, especially BSF, has a very difficult job. BSF personnel are guarding the 6,385 km long border of the country, fulfilling the mantra of lifelong duty with concentration in the midst of sand storms, scorching heat and extreme cold. Ever since Shri Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister, efforts are being made in a systematic manner to take the country to the highest position in every field in the world. This effort will be successful because Border Security Force personnel are guarding our borders with the protection of impenetrable security, development is possible, as they protect the borders. He said that this is the border where BSF and Army personnel have shown excellent valour. In battle, the Border Security Force snatched ​​​​about 1,000 square kilometers from Pakistan and achieved victory. For a very long time, until a settlement was reached, the BSF was also involved in administration and organization, which started with 25 battalions in 1965, and is today a force of 2,65,000 personnel with 193 battalions and 60 artillery regiments. The country and its citizens believe that this organization and this force of 2,65,000 is the guarantor of our security.

The Union Home Minister said that infiltration should be stopped in the Kashmir Valley, internal security should be maintained in the North-East and some LWE areas, while maintaining cordiality in the relations between the two countries along the India-Bangladesh International Border. Security has to be maintained, even in the difficult area of ​​the creek, there will be no other border guarding force except BSF working in such difficult conditions.

Shri Amit Shah said that the Gujarat government has spent Rs. 125 crore on the Seema Darshan program in Nadabet. Children should imbibe the feeling of respect for our border guarding force as a rite of passage, they should also decide that they should also contribute to the security of the country after witnessing the heroics of the BSF here. Now the Gujarat government is also going to plan that the focus of tourism for every student from 5th to 8th class is going to be Nadabet. With this, the message of BSF's sacrifice, dedication, sacrifice and valour will reach civil society and when children grow up, this honor will be remembered by them lifelong. The Gujarat government is also planning living convenience in surrounding areas and every person in Gujarat spends at least 2 days on the outskirts of Banaskantha, only then shall they be able to understand the difficulties of border areas and will be able to understand the border areas.

Earlier, after inaugurating the newly constructed tourist facilities for Seema Darshan at Nadabet, Shri Amit Shah while wishing all the countrymen a happy Ram Navami said that Ram Navami is the end of Chaitya Navratri as well as the birthday of a historic personality. Crores of people celebrate this festival in their homes. He said that the life of Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram is the best ideal for how one should play every role in life. Lord Shri Ram lived such a life in which he presented such a perfect ideal of how one should play the role of an ideal son, ideal husband, ideal king and ideal commander without saying a word, so that people can live for ages. That is why he is our adored today, we all worship him in the form of God and try to follow the path shown by him.

The Union Home Minister said that Border Security Force jawans, guard the toughest borders, and protect the country by putting their lives at risk in difficult conditions. I want to pay tribute to them on behalf of the nation, by remembering all of them who have lost their lives. He said that today, on behalf of the people of the entire country, I want to thank everyone from the BSF jawan to the DG, who have fulfilled the slogan of lifelong duty and also want to salute their bravery. Shri Shah said that whenever there was a crisis in the country, BSF has always displayed valor. One Mahavir Chakra, four Kirti Chakras, 13 Vir Chakras, 13Shaurya Chakras and the saga of many sacrifices are carried by BSF and the whole nation is proud of their bravery.

Shri Amit Shah said he wished to acknowledge the imagination of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at this border darshan of Nadabet. The vision of the Prime Minister cannot be understood and appreciated until one visits this place first hand. After coming here, when we will go to the full demonstration site of Nadabet and from here to the border, then only we will know how our border guards work to protect us in difficult conditions. Coming here will instill patriotism in children as well as a sense of belonging to our armed forces and the security of our borders. He said when people come here, tourism will receive a boost and a big problem of migration from the border villages will be removed and employment opportunities will also be generated, and this is a beginning of the process through which development taking place in the country will reach the last village on the border.. Shri Shah said that today he can envisage that after 10 years this sector of Nadabet will become the center of employment for at least five lakh people in Banaskantha district.

The Union Home and Cooperation Minister said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has built three arrival plazas for tourists with furniture and interior work, made rest places, auditorium with capacity of 500 people, provided for changing rooms, 22 shops and restaurants have been built, decorative lighting is being built and 30 percent of the electricity here is solar based, thus creating a modern sector. Children's play facilities and 100 feet high tricolor will all become a center of attraction here. There are 6 galleries that introduce the visitor to the nation’s borders. A gallery for Gujarat tourism and a gallery for Nadabet and Banaskantha have also been built. There will also be a gallery presenting the three wings of BSF; Marine, Air and Artillery.

Shri Amit Shah said Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has a dream for border tourism. Here the Beating Retreat ceremony will become the center of attraction. He said that he has full faith that the three objectives of border security through border tourism, communication of people with border guards and a sense of attraction in the minds of the people towards the border guards will be fulfilled by this program. Shri Shah said Shri Narendra Modi has taken initiatives for the security and infrastructure of our borders. Extending best wishes to all the people and especially the people of Banaskantha, he said that now Banaskantha will become the center of attraction not only for Gujarat but also for people across the country, due to Nadabet. It will also provide tourism facilities within the nation and people across India will have an opportunity to understand the valour of the BSF from close quarters.