The Hindu : Front Page : Novel tourism project for Thadiyankudisai

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Wednesday, Aug 06, 2008
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Novel tourism project for Thadiyankudisai

Staff Reporter

Panel comprising SHG members formed
Focus on culture and crafts of an area

DINDIGUL: Thadiyankudisai on lower Kodaikanal hills will become the first site in the district for an endogenous tourism project that envisages development through tourism under United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Preliminary work has commenced to develop infrastructure at this village. A village committee, comprising 10 members from self-help groups in Kamanur, Mangalamkombu, Kottakombu, Pattaalakadu and Kodalangadu villages around Thadiyankudisai has been constituted.

The UNDP India has sanctioned Rs.1 lakh to implement solid waste management at Kamanur. Handing over the cheque to the village committee here on Tuesday, Collector R. Vasuki said this amount will be used in coordination with the village committee. Endogenous tourism would mainly focus on culture and crafts of a selected area and create livelihood opportunities for local people through ecologically sustainable projects.

It would also harness traditional skills of rural artisans and rope in women, youth and disadvantaged groups in all income-generation activities, she added.

Activities such as setting up of common facility centres for crafts persons and village art centres showcasing the cultural heritage of the identified sites will be taken up. Rest houses, if necessary, would also be constructed on the basis of local skills and construction materials.

To provide better service to tourists, special training on hospitality such as reception, lodging, cuisine and housekeeping would be imparted to the locals.

The Central Government had allotted Rs.50 lakh for the project.

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