Lakshadweep to develop high-end eco-tourism projects

A statement from the Lakshadweep administration said that it has proposed high-end eco-tourism projects in order to establish a robust base for maritime economic growth with tourism development as its core. 

The projects are to be implemented under the aegis of NITI Aayog and taking into account the protection of the fragile coral's ecosystem. Three water villa projects which are of the first in the country will be opened in the Islands. 

The three water villa projects will come up at Minicoy at a cost of Rs 319 crore, Suheli islands at a cost of Rs 247 crore and Kadamat at Rs 240 crore. 

National Centre for Sustainable Social Management (NCSCM), MoEF&CC and NITI Aayog have conducted a joint survey during November 2018 for site assessment and confirmation. 

Lakshadweep administrator, S. Asker Ali, (IAS), told IANS: "All the mandatory clearances are given for the projects are given upfront including the CRZ clearances." 

He also said that National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) was engaged to prepare the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report which is required for CRZ clearance. 

The administrator said that before finalizing the projects, the administration has conducted meaningful consultations with all the concerned stakeholders including public representatives and the concerned panchayats of Kadamat, Kavaratti and Minicoy. The  local panchayats concerned have issued NOC for the proposed eco-tourism projects at Kadamat, Minicoy and Suheli islands in totality even for bar license in the project. 

The administrator said that Global tenders for the three projects have been floated and can be downloaded with effect from August 1, 2021.