GSI lists geo-tourism sites in NE to visit after ‘unlock’.

Context

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has identified certain geological sites across the Northeast for promotion of geo-tourism as some States in the region prepare to ‘unlock’ from September.

The ‘unlocked’ sites

• Twelve locations in the Northeast are included in the 32 approved geo-tourism or geo-heritage sites in the country.
• Of the 12 sites in the Northeast-
  • three are in Meghalaya (Mawmluh Cave, Mawblei or God’s Rock, Therriaghat)
  • two each in Assam (Majuli, Umananda) and Tripura (Chabimura, Unakoti)
  • one each in Arunachal Pradesh (Sangetsar Tso), Manipur (Loktak Lake), Mizoram (Reiek Tlang), Nagaland (Naga Hill Ophiolite) and Sikkim (Stromatolite Park)

What is geo Tourism?

• Geotourism is defined as tourism that sustains or enhances the distinctive geographical character of a place—its environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture, and the well-being of its residents.

Importance of tourism in india

• Generates Income and Employment
• Infrastructural Development
• Service Sector: It gives a push to the service sector. A large number of businesses engaged in the service sector such as:
• Airlines
• Hotels
• Surface transportation, etc. grows with the growth of the tourism industry

Important schemes for development of heritage sites

• Swadesh Darshan
• National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation
• Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)