Assam tourism minister Chandan Brahma on Thursday said that the state government would write to the Centre asking it to exclude the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) from the “Adopt A Heritage” scheme.
This decision comes in the wake of different protests in different part of the state opposing the move.
Protest by organizations including Asom Jatiyata Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), All Tai Ahom Students Union (ATASU) and Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) continued on Thursday opposing engagement of private companies under the scheme aimed at improving tourist amenities in KNP and Ahom-era monuments in Sivasagar.
Speaking to the media, “Our government will soon communicate with the Centre for excluding KNP because the protected area is not under Archaeological Survey of India. Let monuments under ASI be included in the scheme”.
Brahma, who took charge of tourism ministry recently, said that he has called a meeting on May 5 with all the organizations opposing the scheme in the state.
“We are witnessing protest centering on the scheme. That is why I have decided to sit with the protesting organizations and find out their grievances. We will try to allay their apprehensions in the upcoming meeting,” Brahma said, reports TOI.
Assam Tourism Development Corporation chairman, Jayanta Malla Baruah on Wednesday said that submission of expression of interest did not mean that contract has been given to that particular company.