Union Minister reviews “Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan” Project

Source: PIB

News: Union Minister for Tourism has held a review meeting review meeting of the “Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan” project.

Facts:

• Adopt a Heritage Project: It is an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India. It was launched in September 2017 on World Tourism Day.
• Aim: To ensure quality & inclusive provision of amenities and facilities across heritage, natural, & tourist sites through active participation of private and public sector organizations and individuals. These organizations would be known as “Monument Mitras” for their collaboration initiative.
• Objectives of the Project:
  • Developing basic tourism infrastructure in and around heritage sites, monuments, natural sites and tourist sites.
  • Develop facilities and amenities to improve the tourist experience at heritage sites, monuments, natural sites and tourist sites.
  • Promote cultural and heritage value of the country and develop avenues to create awareness about the heritage/natural/tourist sites in the country
  • Develop and promote sustainable tourism infrastructure and ensure proper Operations and Maintenance therein.
  • Develop employment opportunities and support livelihoods of local communities at heritage sites.
• Eligibility: Private and Public Sector Companies, Trusts, NGOs and Individuals are eligible for adopting heritage site (s)/ monument (s) under this project.
• Key Features of the Project:
  • The sites/monuments are selected on the basis of tourist footfall and visibility and can be adopted by private and public sector companies and individuals known as Monument Mitras for an initial period of five years.
  • The Monument Mitras are selected by the ‘oversight and vision committee,’ co-chaired by the Tourism Secretary and the Culture Secretary on the basis of the bidder’s ‘vision’ for development of all amenities at the heritage site.
  • There is no financial bid involved. The corporate sector is expected to use corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds for the upkeep of the site.