Hundru and Jonha falls (above) are two of the most popular tourist destinations of the state

Ranchi, June 8: Here’s another innovative pitch for Incredible Jharkhand.

The state tourist department is trying to effect a turnaround in destinations that tourists have shied away from in recent years, thanks to perceived or real Maoist menace.

Despite limitations, last year, 66 lakh tourists, including foreigners, had visited Jharkhand, said department sources. If local residents join hands with the department to ensure safety and entertainment of the tourists, nothing can stop Jharkhand from becoming another god’s own country, goes the popular notion. On the department’s wish list are nature walks, local cuisine, exploration of ruins, sightseeing, trade of tribal artefacts in haat-like ambience and cultural events comprising tribal songs and dances.

But to make it possible, the tourism department has to mobilise local communities to welcome visitors and provide them with a safe ambience.

Tourism minister Bimla Pradhan said she had her hopes pinned on community participation to promote tourism. She admitted the earlier scheme of involving NGOs to rope in local youths to revive tourism had failed. “As many as 30 NGOs were selected two years ago to involve local youths, who would then assist tourists. But the idea did not work,” she admitted.

A departmental official on the condition of anonymity said the scheme failed as the government did not release funds on time.

“The department is yet to release funds for 2010-2011. The NGOs stopped working. As per estimates, around 850 youths were employed in major tourist spots on daily wages between Rs 100 and Rs 150. But if money comes in spurts, naturally no one stays interested for long,” he said.

Now, the department hopes rural communities will revive existing tourist complexes that are languishing due to Maoist fear.

Bibhuti Vihar in Ghatshila, Urwan Tourist Complex in Koderma, Ram Rekha Dham (where Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman are believed to have rested during exile) in Simdega, and areas near Johna and Hundru falls, are some sites the department feels can bounce back on India’s tourist map with community support.

Wooing communities to make them understand that the revival of tourism would push village economies is on the cards, too.

As Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation (JTDC) managing director Siddharth Tripathy said: “In rural areas, tourist complexes do exist, but they have failed to attract tourists due to law and order problems. We’d like to involve local communities who will not only look after tourists, but also help them in building confidence that the place is really worth visiting without worries.”

For locals, this will be a viable opportunity to make money, as tourists can eat and live with them during their stay, he added. “It’s all about the entire community getting ownership of tourism as an enterprise. It’s a win-win situation, as tourists will get a unique feel of tribal culture and customs up close and a positive impression of the state’s rich heritage, besides,” Tripathy said, citing examples of Shimla and Mussourie where residents wait for tourists. “Here, we don’t see any such local involvement,” he rued.

The nitty-gritty of the proposal is being put on paper in modules. “Yes, the logistics of the scheme are being worked out. One thing I can say is that we will start this scheme very soon. We’ll keep 15 per cent of our total budget for the community. Now, our plan is not just youth-centric, but one that involves the entire village,” Tripathy said.