SAWANTWADI (Sindhudurga): Maharashtra government is considering setting up an amusement park on the lines of the world famous Disneyland, in coastal Sindhudurg district.
The State Government is mulling over a suggestion to set up the amusement park at Kumarmath in the district, Revenue Minister Narayan Rane said on the sidelines of an event organised to mark the World Tourism Day here.
The suggestion was made in a report prepared by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) after the district was declared as a tourist district by the Central government a decade ago, Rane said.
"The government is also considering various other proposals like setting up five star hotels and a fishermen's village for development of Sindhudurg as a tourist destination," Rane, who hails from the district, said.
The government has also made a budgetary provision of Rs 41 crore for Sindhudurg, Rane said.
"The district is more beautiful than neighbouring Goa. We want to focus more on the unexplored dense green forests, crystal clear beaches and marine life," he said.
The Centre earlier this month had approved a proposal for a Rs 450 crore greenfield airport at Sindhudurg and the project is expected to be completed in the next two three years, he said.
"Boost to tourism business in Sindhudurg would also help poor locals who cannot rely solely on agriculture or fishing," Rane said.
"Various concepts like eco tourism and agriculture tourism need to be developed along with traditional business for them," he said.
"Crafts, food and fish in the region should be exported," he added.
"The district would soon have it s first five star hotel at Mitbao and is being developed by Oberoi Group," Divisional Officer of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Kiran Sulakhe said.
"Two other destinations, Arawali and Chirona, have been selected for setting up five star hotels. The Taj group wants to develop a hotel at Chirona," he added.
Taking into consideration the various needs and attraction of tourists, a health spa is being developed at Sawantwadi area.
"The Municipal Council is investing Rs 1.15 crore for the project with the help of Ayurveda college in the district," former Councilor Deepak Kesarkar said.
"The spa would have all modern facilities including Panchkarma, Yoga and Meditation," Kesarkar said. Another project Shilpagram is under construction, which would represent local culture to the tourists.
The Shilpagram would be like a small village where people can see our traditional arts and crafts, folk art and enjoy the local food.
"As part of eco tourism, MTDC developed a scuba diving and under water facility at Tarkarli beach last year," Kesarkar said, adding that the response was tremendous.
