In an attempt to build Dandi as an eco-sensitive tourism spot, the Government of India announced Green Action for National Dandi Heritage Initiative (GANDHI) Memorial Project on Wednesday. The project is aimed at overall development and conservation of the environment of Dandi and its surrounding villages.
Launching the project at Dandi, Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister of Environment and Forest, Government of India said, "Under this new initiative, Dandi and surrounding villages will be declared as eco-sensitive zone under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. This will ensure eco-friendly overall development of the area and proper monitoring system as per the provisions of the law will be made accordingly. This is a national project and cutting across the party lines, all the political fronts will try their best for implementation of the project."
Ramesh also handed over a cheque of Rs. 42.
Ramesh also handed over a cheque of Rs. 42.90 crore to SK Nanda, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Forest & Environment, Gujarat, at the function for implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project in the state. This project is being implemented by Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) with assistance of Rs 300 crore from the World Bank.
According to Gopal Krishna Gandhi, Chairman, Dandi Memorial Committee, constituted by Government of India, under the GANDHI project, the implementing agency will shell out an amount of Rs 25 crore for the purpose wherein Dandi will be declared as eco-sensitive zone in order to develop it as an eco-friendly tourist destination. "It is unfortunate that no initiative is taken for development of Dandi Heritage Route in last five years. But now, along with renovation of Saifee Villa, where Mahatma Gandhi spent a night before breaking the salt act in 1930, 15 acres of land opposite the villa will also be developed as a memorial," said Gandhi.
SICOM, an agency working under Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, will implement the project in collaboration with Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad and Gujarat Ecology Commission, Government of Gujarat.
"The project will mainly focus on four tools for successful implementation. These will include conservation of coast and coastal resources, adopting nature-based development of resources, encouraging integrated village and community development, promotion of eco-tourism and branding of Dandi as an 'Environment-Positive' tourist destination. The initial outlay for the project, to be completed in about two years, will be around Rs 25 crore. The funding will be done through World Bank assisted Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project, being implemented by SICOM," said SK Nanda, principal secretary, Department of Forest and Environment, Government of Gujarat.
All the implementing agencies will work out a plan for integrated development and heritage conservation in the specified areas, embodying Gandhian principles meant for village development and environmental conservation, said E Balagurusamy, member secretary, GEC. "Various activities to be undertaken as a part of the project include mangrove afforestation and bio-shield development, beach nourishment, conservation of coastal features and wetlands, harnessing and encouraging use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, conservation of water, waste management, transformation of target villages in to carbon neutral areas, improvement in source of livelihood and so on," Balagurusamy added.
After implementation of the project, respective village panchayats will look after the maintenance and sustenance of the assets and take advantage of the opportunities created by the project. A plan for supporting the village panchayats in this task will also be worked out under this project.
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