The state government has mooted, and is moving ahead with, a proposal for developing a tourism township in either Vagamon or Munnar that will be facilitated by the UAE government.
It is unclear at this point if there will be direct involvement of the UAE government or whether the UAE government is only a facilitator for participation by private companies. There are worries that a tourism township in Idukki district’s environmentally fragile areas could lead to further ecological devastation. The Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports explicitly discourage such tourism and construction initiatives in the Western Ghats and adjoining areas.
The tourism township proposal was initiated by the state government on November 9, 2023, following which a communication was sent by the tourism department to the revenue department on December 13. According to a communiqué by the principal secretary (revenue) to the land revenue commissioner (accessed by TOI), the government directed the land revenue commissioner to find suitable land in Vagamon or Munnar for the project.
A high-level meeting was convened by the chief secretary on December 18, in which senior officials of tourism and revenue departments participated. “A meeting will be convened presided over by the chief secretary on December 18 in his committee room, to discuss developing tourism township in the hill stations in the state under the aegis of the UAE government,” the communiqué sent by principal secretary (revenue) said. “A report has to be furnished to the government, at the earliest, after examining whether suitable land is available in Vagamon or in Munnar, in Idukki, suitable for the tourism township project proposed by the UAE government,” the communique added.
The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh said that infrastructure is being developed as per the modern-day requirements for the convenience of the visitors. He also informed that there were about 9,000 hotels in Himachal and considering the influx of tourists, the operation of homestays is also being regulated, to attract more tourists in the state.
Since the matter is yet to be placed by the government in the public domain, the UAE govt’s exact role is unclear. “The proposal was made when the UAE ambassador met the chief minister. When the government gets a proposal for a major investment, why deny it? The government is looking forward to an eco-friendly project since these two places that have been shortlisted are ecologically fragile areas,” a senior government official told TOI on condition of anonymity. In case of direct involvement of the UAE government, the Centre’s decision will be decisive as a sovereign government acquiring property in India can be routed only through diplomatic channels. In case, the project is a private initiative, parallels will be drawn to Kochi SmartCity which was presented initially by the then UDF government as an information technology initiative that later turned out to become a UAE-based private company’s integrated township in Kakkanad.
Real estate development of this magnitude in the name of tourism envisaged in Munnar and Vagamon goes against the recommendations of Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (Gadgil Committee) and the Kasturirangan Report. The government had recently framed detailed guidelines for constituting a Munnar Hill Area Authority with an aim to ensure sustainable development with uniformity, take appropriate decisions on encroachments and to protect the environmental uniqueness of the Munnar area. With regard to Vagamon, even basic land records are unavailable — these include basic tax register (BTR) and field measurement book (FMB) that will have concrete information on land holdings and exact extent and location of government land and porambokes in Vagamon village.
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A Guide To Desert Camping in UAE:
The United Arab Emirates is a stunning stretch of sands and deserts. Despite being a technology hub and innovations that the country is known for, visitors are still keen to pop over the untouched sands. Camping in these deserts under stars will give you a priceless feeling that you can’t find somewhere else. However, to make it fun, you need to know about it. Let us walk through the essential guide.
1. The right tent:
Would you like fries without ketchup? Certainly not! The same goes for camping without a perfect tent. Choosing the right tent could be the first step towards great camping. On the contrary, wrong selection can ruin your day. You must be careful while selecting the type of tent for your desert camping.
Numerous tents are available, designed for different destinations and campers’ preferences. If you prefer overnight camping Dubai, a single-wall tent could be the best choice. However, long camping would need a double-wall tent to protect you against the sandy winds and harsh weather.
2. Compass and Map:
Have you ever watched a movie where someone is lost in the desert? You certainly don’t want that to happen to you. To avoid such mishaps, you need to take a map and navigation compass with you. Since it’s a time of digitalization, you can take your mobile phone with you for perfect navigation across the heart of the desert.
However, nothing beats the misfortune of a dead battery of a phone. As a plan B, you better pack a map and navigation compass in your bag. You can’t afford to take risks in a place where there is nothing but sand all around.
3. Firewood:
Huddle around the warmth of a bonfire to double your camping adventure. Your camping is incomplete with firewood, and that is why you should not forget it while packing. You can enjoy the soft desert breeze, sitting around the fire and recalling sweet memories with your friends and family.
Warming up in the glow of the fire and sharing smiles will give your soul moments of relief. Get your packing done, and don’t forget to take firewood with you. That is something you can’t afford to leave!
4. Cooler box:
The scorching heat of the desert goes beyond tolerance sometimes. It becomes hard to survive the day without a glass of cold water every half an hour. You will feel thirst in the first half of the day, and there could be nothing better than a glass of cold water. Only then can you quench your thirst.
Despite the nights being too cold, the days could be very hot. Do not forget the cooler box with iced water to make your day cool.
5. Water:
The biggest necessity in a desert is water, and you should take plenty with you. It’s not about drinking water only. You will need some extra water for washing dishes, rehydrating your car, or cooking.
It is necessary to take mineral water for drinking and some extra for other purposes. Whether cooking, washing dishes, or rehydrating the car, you will always need water in the middle of the desert.
6. Medical Aid Kit:
It is not guaranteed that your camping will go safer without any injuries to anyone. When we talk about going camping, numerous playing activities cross our minds. Amid these plays, members of your group could confront serious injuries, which is why you need a first aid kit in your bag.
You have heard the phrase, “better to be safe than sorry.” Although overnight desert camping spots in Dubai are relatively safer, you need to be well prepared. Take a medical kit with you to combat serious scenarios.
7. Lighting system:
On the list of essential materials, the last ones are lights and lamps. Even though some of the desert spots are well lit in the UAE, you better take your lighting system with you. If you are barbequing or hiking, a torch could be useful. Being well-lit can help you a great deal while camping in the desert.
Explore the hidden beauty of nature by overnight camping!
Nature is full of wonders. All you need to do is to take some time and look for it. Going camping is the best move to discover the hidden secrets and beauty of nature. Overnight camping is the best choice for you to see what nature holds in the store for you!
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