‘UNESCO declared Bengal as top destination for heritage tourism’

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said UNESCO has declared the state as a top destination for heritage tourism, asserting that the sector generated employment for lakhs of youths.

“UNESCO has declared Bengal as a top destination for heritage tourism. We have taken great initiatives in developing heritage spots. We are also giving emphasis on religious tourism by developing some of the iconic places of worship like the Dakshineshwar temple and the Kalighat temple,” Banerjee said.

Banerjee stated that she is scheduled to visit Digha on December 15 to see the progress of work of the Jagannath Temple there. She said that the idol of Jagannath in Puri is made of neem wood, however the one at Digha has been made of marble. “A small idol with neem wood has also been created in Digha which will be worshipped daily. A big room for bhog distribution is also coming up in the Jagannath temple in Digha which is a replica of the one in Puri,” she added.

The Chief Minister also said the under-construction Jagannath temple at Digha will soon be open for devotees.

Banerjee, speaking in the Assembly, said the state has taken “giant strides” in religious, heritage and tea tourism.

“The tourism sector has generated jobs for lakhs of youths,” she said.

“We have mountains, forests and the Sunderbans. We are highlighting the unique characteristics of each place. Thousands of hotels have also come up in the tourist spots,” Banerjee said. Minister of State for Tourism Indranil Sen said a “record” 2,489 homestays opened in the state, and 65 per cent of those are located in North Bengal.

Banerjee also said that a tender has been floated for construction of a bridge over the Muriganga River in the Ganga Sagar Island, where the annual Gangasagar Mela is held.

“If the Kumbh Mela is the number one pilgrim destination in the country, the Gangasagar Mela is the second as it has to be reached by waterways,” she said, hinting that improved infrastructure will take the religious fair in her state to the top spot.