Hyderabad, The Telangana government has trained tribal youth from two districts previously affected by left-wing extremism as professional tour guides, as part of an initiative to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to unemployed youth.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday handed over appointment letters to 20 tribal youth from areas previously affected by Naxalism, appointing them as ‘Giri Darshak’.
The ‘Giri Darshaks’ initiative represents a converged, multi-departmental approach led by the Telangana Police, in coordination with the departments of Forest, Tourism, Endowments and Export Development Authority (ITDA).
Official sources said that the project aims to promote sustainable tourism and facilitate the social and economic reintegration of tribal communities in the Legacy and Trust areas of Mulugu and Bhadradri Kottagudem.
MHA has classified Mulugu and Bhadradri Kothagudem as “Heritage and Strength” areas.
The ‘Heritage and Push Zone’ is an area completely free of Naxal insurgency.
They said that the initiative enhances community participation as professional tour guides in ecotourism and Hajj activities to promote sustainable regional development, ensure public law and order and provide a safe environment for tourists.
They said the primary objectives of the Giri Darshaks include engaging local tribal youth as professional mentors and community facilitators and providing sustainable livelihood opportunities to unemployed tribal youth.
Other objectives include enhancing trust between the community and the police, “strengthening the state presence” in remote tribal areas and positioning Mulugu and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts as models for comprehensive tourism-led development.
The 20 young people underwent a training program lasting about a month, which included tourist guidance, etiquette, heritage knowledge, safety and first aid.
The sources said that they will be deployed on a rotating basis across the heritage, eco-tourism and Hajj departments to facilitate tourism movement.
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