Uttar Pradesh Tourism Development receives USD 40 million from the World Bank

Uttar Pradesh Tourism Development has much to rejoice. While UP Tourism has been working in every possible way to highlight state’s rich culture and heritage, approval of a USD 40 million loan has come as a welcome boost.

Needless to state its value for the state that has numerous holy shrines that grace its landscape, whereas numerous pilgrim places offer a sense of tranquillity. Not to forget that Uttar Pradesh has been hailed as the place of figures such as Krishna, Mahavira, Rama, Akbar and Mahatma Gandhi. Recently, for the sole purpose of developing the state and its tourism sector, Uttar Pradesh approached the World Bank for financial support to sustain its native communities. In reply to the same application, the World Bank has authorised USD 40 million for Uttar Pradesh Pro-Poor Tourism Development Project. The said project will work toward enhancing the living conditions and quality of life of poor natives including drivers, street vendors and local artisans. By revamping the tourism sector, the project aims in optimising state assets sustainably. The said venture will help native communities earn money for their households by sharing their wealthy tradition, culture and heritage with the tourists.

Junaid Ahmad, country director for the World Bank in India, stated that because of the nation’s centre class surge, the tourism sector has been witnessing a positive trend. Two regions, namely Agra and Braj, will be focussed mainly in this project. Even though both the regions are rich in terms of heritage and culture and witness a huge footfall of tourists, they still suffer from a high poverty rate.
If we go by the records, Taj Mahal is roughly surrounded by 200 odd slums! Therefore, the Agra project will revolve around the history of ‘Agra beyond the Taj’, which will focus on around 150 monuments and sites in regions such as the Kachhpura village, Agra Fort and Mehtab Bagh Mughal Garden. Meanwhile, Braj being a key Hindu pilgrimage destination, the focus will be to work on the creative industries, local arts and cleansing the holy water bodies.

Other agencies like the World Monuments Fund, which supports the Archaeological Survey of India, will also be part of this project to work hand in hand with UP Tourism to develop the tourism sector in this region.