Context: Ministry of Tourism conducted training in Bhitarkanika National Park, Odisha under Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme

About the scheme:

• Under this initiative, IITTM, an autonomous body under MoT, in collaboration with MoEFCC will build the capacity of local community members around different Ramsar sites in order to strengthen nature tourism at these sites and provide alternative livelihood to the local community.
• With the help of State Forest Deptt., a total of 30 participants have been identified from the local communities located around Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary to impart this training and subsequently certify them as nature-guides.

Amrit Dharohar scheme

• The Amrit Dharohar Scheme is a collaborative initiative of the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• The primary goal of the Amrit Dharohar Scheme is to enhance the capabilities of local community members around various Ramsar sites. This effort is led by the Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management (IITTM), an autonomous body under MoT.
• The scheme holds significance as it aims to fortify nature tourism at these designated sites while concurrently offering alternative livelihood opportunities to the local community.
• The Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management (IITTM) is responsible for executing the Amrit Dharohar Scheme.
• The Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change have identified five priority sites for the initial phase of the scheme. These sites include Sultanpur (in Haryana), Bhitarkanika and Chilika (in Odisha), and Yashwant Sagar and Sirpur (in Madhya Pradesh). Training programs for local communities, falling under the Alternative Livelihood Programme (ALP), will be initiated at these locations.

Bhitarkanika National Park:

• Bhitarkanika National Park is situated over an extensive area of 672 square kilometers in Orissa, India.
• It stands as the second largest mangrove ecosystem in India.
• The national park is essentially a network of creeks and canals, inundated by the waters from rivers Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, and Patasala, creating a distinctive ecosystem.
• Due to its proximity to the Bay of Bengal, the soil in the region is enriched with salts. The vegetation and species in the sanctuary predominantly belong to the tropical and subtropical intertidal regions.
• Known as the breeding ground for Salt Water Crocodiles.
• Gahirmatha Beach, forming the eastern boundary, houses the largest colony of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.
• Bagagahana, or the heronry near Surajpore creek, is a distinctive phenomenon where thousands of birds gather for nesting. Aerial acrobatics performed before mating create a remarkable spectacle.
• Home to eight varieties of Kingfisher birds, a rare occurrence in the region.