Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Sept 24: Few months after Orissa POST discussed about the loss of tourism potential in the state due to what may be termed as policies not conducive to attract tourists from overseas countries, the moves are afoot to lift the ban on the entry of foreigners into tribal areas of the state.
Confirming the formative steps, tourism director Anil Samal told Orissa POST, “A panel has been formed under approval of the chief minister under chairmanship of Home Secretary with Tourism Secretary, Secretary SC and ST, DG Police and Tourism director as members to examine the existing norms on movement of tourist in particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTG) areas. A meeting will be convened soon to felicitate more foreign tourists to visit state.”
This comes a day before the mega convention of Federation of Hotel and Restaurants Association of India (FHRAI) is to take place where key players from hospitality sector from the country are likely to take part. Many are also expected to invest in the state but were cautious keeping in mind some restrictions.
The state government imposed the ban three years back after the abduction of some Italian nationals. However, the imposition of restrictions post abduction of two Italian tourists in Kandhamal district over three years ago adversely affected foreign tourists’ footfall.
In some pockets even additional permission from some other departments were also required. Ironically, at many of these restricted areas Indians, at will, take pictures of tribals and sometimes even make documentaries, but foreigners are barred from even clicking a single picture.
According to the existing norms, foreigners were not allowed to venture into districts such as Koraput, Raygada, Khandamal, Mayurbhang, Keonjhar and Kalahandi without the prior permission of the district collector or other authorities concerned.
Nevertheless, if a foreigner wanted to visit a friend of an NGO, in the above-mentioned areas, he or she needed prior permission from the authorities to do so.
