BHUBANESWAR: It was left to voluntary organization Barefoot to emerge the lone saving grace for the state by winning an award at the National Tourism Awards ceremony in New Delhi on Monday in the category of best responsible tourism initiative for implementing Green Rider Rickshaw project in Puri.

While the state government drew a blank at the meet as two of its nominations did not impress the jury, Barefoot volunteers were ecstatic at winning the award. "It is an honour to receive the prestigious award from the President of India. Our community-based initiative and hard work won us the award," said Barefoot founder Yugabrat Kar.

Arunachal Pradesh bagged an award in the Best State: Campaign Clean India category apart from winning a special prize for Most Innovative use of Information Technology at the National Tourism Awards function here on Monday.

However, none of the other northeastern states could make a mark in the event. Incidentally, two Delhi-based tour operators received awards for their operations in North East.

The State Cabinet approved the much delayed policy for the tourism sector, a move expected to boost the tourist inflow and pump new investments in the sector.

The policy's objective is to position Odisha as the most preferred tourist destination and place it prominently on the domestic and international tourism map with focus on employment generation and promoting small & medium enterprises. The policy aims at attracting fresh investments through provision of investments and interest subsidies for development of world class tourism products and infrastructure.

After Peaceful Ways Fail To Yield Results, Villagers Threaten To Intensify Protest

Alwar: The ongoing agitation of villagers has spelled doom for the tourism industry at Sariska tiger reserve with mass protest against relocation entering the 13th day on Tuesday. Nearly 2,500 villagers who stay around the park have been blocking its main entrance since February 28. They threatened to intensify the stir on Monday as their peaceful agitation has failed to create any impact on the administration officials.

PANJIM: While the Regional Plan 2021 for Goa is yet to be finalized after the ensuing Budget Session, the tourism industry in a pre-budget memorandum to the Goa government submitted Monday, has rec

SHILLONG: For the year 2012–2013, the State got fund of Rs 67.94 lakh which was allocated for development and promotion of tourism which also includes Rs 50 lakh for rural tourism and Rs 17.94 lakh

Presenting the budget for 2013-14, Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather Wednesday announced a slew of welfare measures: health insurance for migrants, hike in daily wages, VAT exem

JAIPUR: Anticipating more investments in tourism sector, the 'Tourism Unit Policy-2007' has been extended till March 31, 2014.

Two public interest litigation petitions have been filed in the Madras High Court Bench here — one challenging a notification issued by the Centre on October 15, laying down guidelines for tourism

DIBRUGARH: The impunity with which poachers are killing wild animals, especially the one–horned rhinoceros in the State, is worrying. The recovery of the headless carcass of an elephant at Charaipung range reinforces the ineffectiveness of the wildlife protection measures of the forest department.

Since 2007, 93 rhinos have been killed, 12 of them in the last two months. In September last year, five rhinos were killed, two on consecutive days. The discovery of a rhino whose horn had been cut away while it was left to die a slow death last year, sent shock waves but since then, more such killings with the same modus operandi have taken place.