The Centre is considering a proposal to open up five islands of Andaman and Nicobar to tourists to promote them as eco-tourism destinations, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said today.
The Andaman and Nicobar archipelago comprises more than 500 islands, many of which are uninhabited and restricted.
Javadekar said during his recent trip to Andaman and Nicobar he explored the potential for developing five islands from tourism perspective.
"I went to the place recently to meet people. It is 94 per cent forest and rest is Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). The place is so beautiful it can easily beat Thailand and Phuket... But due to our policies we could not open it for public.
"We have prepared a plan and we are working on it to develop five islands of the place for eco-tourism without disturbing their forests," he said while taking part in a budget programme of AajTak.
The minister said a group of five ministries is collectively working on the concept of island development to make them tourism destinations.
(REOPENS DES 42)
The minister was speaking at the discussion on the budget session beginning tomorrow and expressed hope about the passage of Goods and Services tax (GST) which is pending before the Parliament.
He said the empowered committee of state Finance ministers that is working out the details of the proposed bill, will resolve the deadlock over the issue under the guidance of its new chairman, Amit Mitra, who is also West Bengal Finance Minister.
"The new chairman of the Committee has said that they are getting support from all states and the bill will be passed in this budget session," he said.
On 'Make in India' week held in Mumbai last week, Javadekar said it has helped in renewing the interests of both, international as well as domestic investors.
"It is a good start. India is becoming an investment destination not only for international but for domestic investors as well, who were earlier going abroad for investments...," he said.
