Assam to Introduce Tourist Police to Ensure Safety of Visitors

Assam's tourism department has started a new initiative called 'tourist police' in response to the increased number of tourists after Covid. The goal of this initiative is to ensure safety for all visitors to the area.

By Priyal Dutta 09 May 2024

in Travel

jjy — Assam is a tourist's paradise and gateway to the enchanting and unexplored northeastern part of India.

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The tourism department of Assam state has introduced a plan to implement a 'tourist police' initiative to ensure the safety of visitors. This decision comes in response to the significant increase in tourist numbers in the state post-Covid last year. The new Assam Tourism (Development and Registration) Bill, 2024, has been passed by the state assembly, which includes the 'tourist police' scheme. It outlines establishing units, tourist police stations, and necessary infrastructure to guarantee visitors' well-being.

cxvx — The state of Assam is best visited from November to May.

A senior official from the tourism department has confirmed that this 'tourist police' scheme is part of the new Assam Tourism Bill, providing a comprehensive framework for the tourism sector. Every accommodation facility must register with the tourism department, and the initiative will involve inspections of tourist places to ensure a safe and secure environment. Although the scheme is still in its initial stages, it will be implemented soon.

Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam is one of the oldest and most revered centers of Tantric practices, dedicated to the goddess Kamakhya.

Several Indian states, including Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, and Uttar Pradesh, have established tourist police departments. By following suit, Assam can join most states in implementing this crucial safety measure, instilling optimism for the potential benefits for Assam's tourism sector.

Assam is known for Assam tea and Assam silk

The 'Tourist Police' initiative was launched nationwide in 2022 as a joint effort by the Union Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D). They worked together to establish dedicated tourist police units and develop a framework, standard operating procedures (SOPs), training programs for personnel, and uniform recommendations for tourist police officers, ensuring the scheme's effectiveness.

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In 2023, Assam witnessed a surge in tourist footfall and reported 98.31 lakh visitors, comprising 98.12 lakh domestic and 18,946 foreign tourists. This marked a substantial increase from the 2022 figures, where the state recorded 17.03 lakh tourists, 17.02 lakh domestic and 1,231 foreign visitors, the highest footfall in the past decade.

hjvvmj — Kaziranga National Park, located in Assam's Golaghat, Nagaon, and Sonitpur districts, is famous for its one-horned Rhinoceros and is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985.

Kaziranga National Park attracted 9,183 foreign tourists and 3,02,763 domestic tourists in the previous year.

#Assam Tourism #Tourist Police