The State of Madhya Pradesh is gradually returning towards normalcy after the three months complete lockdown – an attempt to minimize the impact of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, imposed by the nation across the country. The State has re-opened hotels and resorts (under STDC) including private hotel properties at tourist destinations across the state. Madhya Pradesh Forest Department has also issued a circular regarding ‘Re-opening of National Parks’ from 15th June 2020. National Park’s Buffer Zone will remain open during monsoon season.
Speaking on the development, Sonia Meena (IAS), Additional Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board said: “Madhya Pradesh being into the Inbound Tourism promotion is very strong with its domestic tourism products as well, wildlife is one of them. Opening up tourist attractions would also give a sense of returning to normalcy. We see great potential after re-opening our destinations such as wildlife, heritage, pilgrimage, leisure, and adventure which attracts a large number of tourists from across the country.”
“Following the health protection, safety and hygiene guidelines, we have sanitized and fumigated our premises. We are ensuring all hygiene and social-distancing norms and SOP issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India,” she added.
“The first segment of the travellers we are looking to attract, are people from within and neighbouring states coming to visit our tourist destinations. Madhya Pradesh is surrounded by five States and it is very easy to travel by car from neighbouring states to our State, we also have a very good road network which connects major tourist destinations in the State,” she further informed.
Elaborating on the tourism activities post COVID-19 crisis she says: “To begin with, people will start taking small or weekend tours with 3 to 4 days itinerary, and for such travellers our state could be the choicest destination having a host of interesting and top tourism attractions.”
Madhya Pradesh offers an assortment of attractions to everyone who loves to travel. It is the state with the forest area cover of approx. 77,700 sq.kms (Approx ¼ of the total land area) filled with Sal Trees & Bamboos.
It has numerous wildlife hotspots with 11 National Parks and 24 Wildlife Sanctuaries such as Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary and Chambal Ghadiyal Sanctuary.
The UNESCO World Heritage sites at Khajuraho, Bhimbetka and Sanchi are the iconic sites in the state. Madhya Pradesh has re-gained the tag of being ‘The Tiger State of the Country’ by having maximum Tiger count (526) in the state. The roar of Tigers has increased in the dense and beautiful forests of Madhya Pradesh.
Madhya Pradesh is not only home to two Jyotirlingas Mahakaleshwar and Omkareshwar but Burhanpur, Bhopal, Gwalior and Mandu are some of the beautiful architectural sites, whereas lndrasagar, Gandhi Sagar, Tawa and Bargi are the spellbinding water bodies. Cultural events like Khajuraho Dance Festival, Mandu Festival, Orchha Cultural Festival, Tansen Festival are some of the annual tourism promotional festivals to attract tourists from all walks of life.
