Taking a step further, after declaring Mount Abu as an eco-sensitive zone by the Government of India (GoI), the Tourism Master Plan outlining the tourism activities within the demarcated area is likely to be defined within the next six months. The Tourism Master Plan will be a component of the Zonal Master Plan formulated for Mount Abu and will be prepared by the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan.
Likewise, the Mount Abu tourism authorities are presently revamping the general infrastructure facilities for tourists at the Dilwara Jain Temple with an investment of Rs 3 Crore. Likewise the Gaumukh Temple and Guru Shikhar (the highest point in the Aravali Mountains) will also witness infrastructure development at an investment of Rs 20 Lakh, while Nakki Lake conservation has attracted an investment of Rs eight crore. Currently Mount Abu receives 18 Lakh tourists annually of which 90 per cent are domestic travellers, official records also suggest the presence of 7000 hotels rooms within the categorised sector.
According to Upendra Singh, Assistant Director of Tourism, Mount Abu, “The tourist inflow has steadily increased over the years and so also has deforestation to make way for tourism infrastructure. The move to declare Mount Abu as an eco-sensitive zone will help preserve the integrity of the region's flora and fauna.” The Tourism Master Plan for Mount Abu will be based on the detailed Carrying Capacity Study of the Eco-Sensitive Zone carried out by the state government. The Zonal Master Plan will be prepared with the involvement of Rajasthan State Departments of Environment, Forest, Urban Development, Tourism, Municipal Department, Revenue Department and Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board to integrate environment and ecological considerations within the plan.
Singh cites that the revival of Polo matches in Mount Abu (in 2006) after a gap of almost 75 years has provided fillip to the tourism business apart from the regular events like the Summer Festival and Winter Festival which are organised annually. The Mount Abu tourism department is keen to promote Adventure Tourism activities while positioning Mount Abu as a religious pilgrimage and leisure destination.
Source : hospitalitybizindia
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