A one-horned rhino at Kaziranga National Park. Picture by Eastern Projections

Guwahati, Aug. 25: The abode of one-horned rhinos, the Kaziranga National Park, is all set to gift-wrap Assam’s unique art and craft to tourists.

The Centre — more specifically the ministry of panchayati raj — has sanctioned a rural business hub at the national park to produce goods of international standard that will serve as mementos for tourists to take back home.

Under the project, a private sector group will set up a handloom and artefacts shop where local products will be put up for sale.

The prime objective of the rural business hub is to improve locally available resources and produce quality goods, besides removing impeding factors hindering economic growth in rural areas like poor market linkage, weak infrastructure, many layers of intermediaries and lack of standardisation of products.

The Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship will provide training to the local artisans on skill upgrade and design development.

“The handloom products will be of global standard for the discerning tourists,” an IIE official involved in the project said.

Tourists, both national and international, who visit Kaziranga, do not have anything to take back as mementoes.

The Centre’s project was in line with some popular tourist spots around the world — like in Italy and France — where the business of mementos has provided livelihood to many locals.

The Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, which has been identified as the gateway agency for rural business hubs in the Northeast, was looking to make Kaziranga a place where the tourist can see the rich handlooms and can take them back. It approached the ministry of panchayati raj for the purpose.

“We are very happy that the ministry of panchayati raj has sanctioned the project and work will soon start,” the IIE official said.

The ministry will pump in Rs 9.36 lakh for training and product and design diversification, which is the cost of the project.

The IIE will provide hand-holding support, like preparing a feasibility report, while implementing the project.

“Such an initiative will not only provide a good market link-up and boost sales by bringing both national and international customers to the point of purchase but will also generate employment opportunities for locals, leading to sustainable development,” the official said.