UNION BUDGET '23

Huge opportunities for jobs, entrepreneurship in tourism sector: Nirmala Sitharaman

New Delhi: Promotion of tourism will be taken up on a "mission mode" with active participation of states, convergence of government programmes, and public-private-partnerships, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the Union Budget for 2023-24 on Wednesday.

In her speech, she also emphasised that the country offers "immense attraction" for domestic as well as foreign tourists. "There is a large potential to be tapped in tourism. The sector holds huge opportunities for jobs and entrepreneurship, for the youth in particular," she said.

"Promotion of tourism will be taken up on mission mode with active participation of states, convergence of government programmes, and public-private-partnerships," the minister added.

Amrit Dharohar scheme for wetlands

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday announced that the Amrit Dharohar scheme will be implemented over the next three years to encourage the optimal use of wetlands and enhance biodiversity. She added that Bharat Shared Repository of Inscriptions will be set up in a digital epigraphy museum with the digitisation of one lakh ancient inscriptions in the first stage.

"Wetlands are vital ecosystems which sustain biological diversity. In his latest 'Mann Ki Baat', the Prime Minister has talked about, and I quote that 'now, the total number of Ramsar sites has increased to 275, whereas before 2014, there were only 26'," Sitharaman said.

"Local communities have always been at the forefront of conservation efforts for wetlands. The government will promote their unique conservation values through the Amrit Dharohar, a scheme that will be implemented over the next three years to encourage optimal use of wetlands and enhance biodiversity, carbon stock, eco-tourism opportunities and income generations for local communities," she said.

Sitharaman also spoke about the government's vision for the preservation of India's ancient inscriptions.