The Hindu Business Line : AP tourism Dept to add colour to Pushkaram

THE upcoming Godavari Pushkaralu is expected to be a shot in the arm for the State Government, which is trying to cash in on the huge potential in temple tourism, with over 3.5 crore pilgrims expected to take "the holy dip in 200 ghats along the river course in seven districts during the12-day fete beginning July 30."

Complementing the Government's efforts, the Tourism Department has prepared a series of events, which include cultural programmes and media campaign, to guide and educate people about the importance of major places of tourist importance.

As many as 164 trained volunteers will be posted in major ghats. "These volunteers will provide information to the pilgrims on issues related to environment and tourism," Mr Talasani Srinivasa Yadav, the Minister of Tourism, said.

Addressing newspersons here on Saturday, he said the Institute for Environment Conservation Advocacy, an agency working for conservation of environment, had been assigned the task of appointing the volunteers and educating the pilgrims.

He said the Department would host the website www.pushkaratourism.com from July 1, throwing light on the event. Besides, a ten-member team of artistes would tour Basara-Rajahmundry, covering a huge stretch of Godavari, "to create cultural atmosphere along the route, through various folk forms".

The Department would also organise DWCRA (Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas) and handloom expos at vantage points.

Eminent musicians like Pandit Jasraj and Balamurali Krishna would take part in cultural programmes, Mr Kishen Rao, Director of the Department, said.

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