Rethink beyond Ajanta–Ellora for tourism prosperity

Rafique Aziz

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

National Tourism Day (NTD) is observed in India to showcase the country’s vast tourism potential and to emphasize the urgent need to attract both domestic and international tourists. The focus lies on highlighting India’s rich and diverse culture, history, and numerous heritage sites—especially in and around Maharashtra’s tourism capital.

Experts stress that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires moving beyond a narrow focus on iconic monuments such as the Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, and Daulatabad Fort. There is an immediate need to preserve and promote local heritage—both well-known and lesser-known—while strengthening the local economy and fostering harmony among diverse communities. A lack of genuine passion for tourism, they warn, has reduced the industry to a “decorative paper flower without fragrance.”

Tourist Guides’ Federation of India (TGFI) executive vice president Dr Subhash Jadhav said that stakeholders must rethink tourism strategies beyond the traditional heritage circuit. “We have failed to transform the tourism capital into a three- or four-day destination and have remained stuck with the conventional two-day visit model,” he said. Dr Jadhav emphasized that travel agents and tour operators must actively promote lesser-known destinations and local cuisine. He highlighted sites such as the Lonar Crater (Jalna)—the world’s third-largest meteorite crater—along with Aurangabad Caves, Gautala Sanctuary, Pitalkhora, and Bani Begum Baugh as attractions that could encourage tourists to extend their stay. “Positive collaboration among all stakeholders is essential to achieve sustainable tourism,” he added.

Renowned historian Dr Dulari Qureshi expressed deep concern over the deteriorating condition of heritage structures within the city limits. She stressed that custodians such as the State Department of Archaeology and the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) must take an active role in preserving the city’s heritage for future generations. “Public participation is crucial to protect iconic structures such as city gates, fortification walls, Navkhanda Palace, Kile Ark, Himayat Baugh, Damri Mahal, Nahers, Dr Salim Ali Lake, and Panchakki,” she said. Dr Qureshi also called for removing encroachments and safeguarding living heritage sites, adding that expanding the list of must-visit monuments would boost the local economy and leave a lasting impression on tourists.

It is noteworthy that the municipal corporation established the Heritage Conservation Committee (HCC) in 2008 to oversee local heritage preservation. The committee currently maintains a list of 144 monuments within the city’s jurisdiction.

HCC chairman Jayant Deshpande said that the committee is committed to ensuring tourism growth through collective stakeholder participation. “Responding to demands for revising the old heritage list, a committee led by Intach state convenor Mukund Bhogale was formed to conduct a comprehensive ground-level survey of both prominent and lesser-known monuments,” he said. The survey will document historical significance, current condition, encroachments, custodianship, and photographic evidence. “We expect the report within two to three months. Expanding and improving access to heritage sites will significantly enhance the tourist experience,” Deshpande added.