India’s Ministry of Tourism is all set to host the “Best Tourism Villages of India 2024” awards on International Tourism Day (September 27) in New Delhi. The selected villages will be evaluated on parameters such as economic, social and environmental sustainability, the promotion and conservation of natural resources, infrastructure and connectivity, and the prioritisation of tourism, among other factors.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that four villages from his state have been selected for the prestigious award. The chief minister’s office (CMO) released a statement stating that the initiative to establish Uttarakhand as a prime tourist destination was yielding positive results.
The four villages that were selected are Jakhol and Harshil from Uttarkashi, Seemant Gunji from Pithoragarh, and Soupi from Nainital. While Jakhol has been chosen for its adventure tourism potential, Harshil and Seemant Gunji were recognised as being part of the “Vibrant Village Programme.” Soupi in Nainital is selected for successfully promoting agricultural tourism.
The annual competition rewards villages that embody sustainable tourism practices and meet the aforementioned criteria. Chief Minister Dhami commended the efforts of the villagers but stressed the need for public involvement for the development of Uttarakhand as a tourist state.
Besides the mountain state, Rajasthan is also joining the “best tourism village” list with Devmali. Located in the Beawar district, what makes the village unique is that none of its residents have any documents of land ownership. For them, the entire village belongs to Lord Devanarayana. In fact, 1,859 acres have been dedicated to the deity. Efforts to protect Devmali’s unique culture include bans on burning kerosene or neem wood and abstaining from meat and alcohol consumption.
In 2023, Biswanath Ghat in Assam's Sonitpur district won the award for the “best tourism village” of India, setting a precedent for other villages to follow in promoting sustainable tourism.
(With inputs from multiple news reports)