Focus on rural tourism to curb migrations: Ex-VC Prof H Lajipathi Rai in Srikakulam

Srikakulam: Tourism is the only alternative source for the development of backward districts like Srikakulam, said former Vice-Chancellor (VC) of B R Ambedkar University (BRAU) Prof H Lajipathi Rai.

Delivering a keynote address at a workshop held in a hotel on 'Rural tourism and alternative sources for development,' organised jointly by Tourism department and Air Travellers Association of Srikakulam, Prof Rai said that the district has a large number of tourist spots and historical temples, besides longest sea coast, which are good sources for development.

But for improvement of tourist spots, the government should allot sufficient funds in the budget, he stressed. Farmers in the district were the most affected community as they are frequently losing their crops due to cyclones particularly in the coastal mandals, he pointed out. Rural tourism needs to show alternative source for farmers, farm workers and rural youth to prevent migrations, he lamented.

Tourism development would require a long-term plan and need fund allocations for stable improvement, he pointed out. District Tourism Promotion Officer N Narayana Rao, Air Travellers Association representatives N Mohan, N Kondababu, experts on district culture and heritage K V J Radha Prasad, V Jagannadham Naidu, various NGOs representatives and tourism students from Government Degree College participated in the programme.