Guwahati, May 11: The Centre has given its nod to remove four sites in Assam from its Adopt a Heritage project. According to a report published in Hindustan Times, Tourism Minister of Assam, Chandan Brahma confirmed that the decision was taken following protests from various groups and reservations by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government.

A team led by Brahma met Union tourism minister KJ Alphons on Friday and apprised him of the resentment against the scheme in the state. After the meeting, the central government decided to remove the four sites from the project.

“In view of public opinion against the scheme and also our reservations, we met the Union minister and apprised him about it. He has agreed to remove the sites in Assam from the scheme,” Hindustan Times reported quoting Brahma as saying. Three Ahom-era monuments in Sibsagar -- Rang Ghar, Kareng Ghar and Siba Doul -- and Kaziranga national park were proposed to be handed over as part of the scheme. ‘Adopt a Heritage’ project plans to entrust heritage sites/monuments and other tourist sites to private sector companies, public sector companies and individuals for the development of tourist amenities. Nearly 100 sites including the Red Fort and Char Minar in Hyderabad are part of the project.

The scheme was launched in September last year by President Ram Nath Kovind. Various organisations like All Assam Students Union (AASU), Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and others opposed the scheme.

While Kaziranga, the largest habitat of the endangered one-horned rhino is a world heritage site, Rang Ghar, is an eighth-century amphitheatre, Kareng Ghar, the Ahom royal palace and Siba Doul, a Lord Shiva temple. The state government asked the Centre to reconsider the decision after holding talks with protesting groups.

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 11, 2018 06:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).