Lakshadweep administration to develop high-end tourism projects in Minicoy, Kadamat islands

Thiruvananthapuram: In a move to establish a robust base for maritime economic growth with tourism development as its core, the Lakshadweep administration on Sunday announced that it is engaged in the development of high-end eco-tourism projects at Kadamat, Suheli, and Minicoy Islands.

A statement from the Lakshadweep administration said that it has proposed high-end eco-tourism projects which are to be implemented under the aegis of NITI Aayog and taking into account the protection of the fragile coral's ecosystem.

"The scientific approach adopted in each stage of the projects' finalisation ensures that it strikes a balance between protection of the fragile corals' ecosystem and the need to improve livelihood opportunities of the islanders," District Collector and Secretary (Tourism), UTLA, S Asker Ali said on Sunday.

In a first of its kind initiative in the country, three premium water villa projects are identified in Minicoy (150 keys, project cost of INR 319 crore), Suheli (110 keys, INR 247 Cr) and Kadmat (110 keys, INR 240 crore) islands, based on comprehensive location suitability analysis, technical and financial feasibility and project structuring.

National Centre for Sustainable Social Management (NCSCM), MoEF&CC and NITI Aayog have conducted a joint survey during November 2018 for site assessment and confirmation.

S. Asker Ali, (IAS), told IANS: "All the mandatory clearances are given for the projects are given upfront including the CRZ clearances."

He also said that National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) was engaged to prepare the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report which is required for CRZ clearance.

The administrator said that before finalizing the projects, the administration has conducted meaningful consultations with all the concerned stakeholders including public representatives and the concerned panchayats of Kadamat, Kavaratti and Minicoy.

The local panchayats concerned have issued NOC for the proposed eco-tourism projects at Kadamat, Minicoy and Suheli islands in totality even for bar license in the project.

The administrator said that Global tenders for the three projects have been floated and can be downloaded with effect from August 1, 2021.