Category: News

The Eravikulam National Park, abode of the highly endangered Nilgiri tahr, will remain closed to visitors till March 31. Chief Wildlife Warden said the two-month closure was an annual affair during the calving season of the tahrs. Online ticket booking will resume after the park reopens. The mating season of the tahrs is between June and August and the gestation period is nearly six months. The tahr population at the park was stable, with the number exceeding 1,000 in Rajamala under the Eravikulam National Par. The Nilgiri Tahr, (Nilgiritragus hylocrius  Ropiquet and Hassanin, 2005) is an endangered caprid listed in Schedule ... Read more

Jammu and Kashmir, Minister for Tourism Tassaduq Hussain Mufti said the state government has adopted a multipronged strategy to harness the tourism potential and position J&K as the leading global destination. He also said that the idea is to make tourism sector as the principal engine of the State’s economic growth. Tassaduq said the government’s endeavour would be to frame a tourism policy for not just creating jobs but to ensure better livelihood for the people. “We should not ignore the environmental consequences while creating infrastructure and exploring new destinations. The emerging situation around Pyangong Lake, Ladakh and Sonamarg in Kashmir ... Read more

A once in a lifetime lunar event occurs tomorrow – a Super blue blood moon, which means a complete lunar eclipse, during the 2nd full moon of the month, while the moon is on its closest orbit to earth. This rare celestial phenomenon—a super moon, a blue moon and a total lunar eclipse, will all occur at the same time. Are you ready for the treat up the skies on the evening of January 31? People in Siberia, Australia, New Zealand and North Western US and Canada will be lucky to observe the entire event. Major sections of Africa, South ... Read more

മുംബൈ : ചേരിയില്‍ മുന്നിലാണ് മുംബൈ. നഗരം ആകാശത്തോളം വളര്‍ന്നപ്പോള്‍ അതിനു വിത്തും വളവുമായവര്‍ ചേരികളില്‍ നിറഞ്ഞു.അംബരചുംബികളായ കെട്ടിടങ്ങള്‍ക്കരികെ അത് കേട്ടിപ്പൊക്കിയവരുടെ ചേരികളും വളര്‍ന്നു. സ്ലം ഡോഗ് മില്ല്യനര്‍ എന്ന ചിത്രം മുംബൈ ചേരികളുടെ കാഴ്ച്ചകൂടിയായി. പലതരം ടൂറിസം കടന്ന് ഒടുവില്‍ ജയില്‍ ടൂറിസത്തില്‍ എത്തിയ നാടാണ് മഹാരാഷ്ട്ര. ഇവിടെയാണ്‌ ചേരി ടൂറിസവും പിറക്കുന്നത്‌. ചേരി നിവാസികളുടെ ജീവിത ദുരിതം മനസിലാക്കി പണം മുടക്കി ചേരിയില്‍ കഴിയാന്‍ അവസരമെന്നാണ് ഇതിന്‍റെ പ്രചാരണം. ഹോളണ്ട് സ്വദേശി ഡേവിഡ് ബിജലിന്‍റെതാണ് ആശയം. ചേരി നിവാസികള്‍ക്കിടയിലാണ് ഡേവിഡിന്‍റെ പ്രവര്‍ത്തനം. ചേരിയില്‍ താമസിക്കുന്ന രവി സന്‍സിയാണ് ചേരി ടൂറിസത്തില്‍ ഡേവിഡിന്‍റെ പങ്കാളി. രണ്ടായിരം രൂപയാണ് ചേരിയില്‍ താമസിക്കാന്‍ നിരക്ക്. പണം മുഴുവന്‍ കുടില്‍ ഉടമക്ക് നല്‍കും.അതിഥിക്ക് പ്രത്യേക സ്ഥലമുണ്ടാകും. അവിടെ പുതിയ വിരി വിരിച്ച നിലത്തു കിടക്കാം.എസിയും ഫ്ലാറ്റ് ടിവിയുമുണ്ടാകും.എന്നാല്‍ മലമൂത്ര വിസര്‍ജ്ജനത്തിനു ചേരിയിലെ പൊതു ശൌചാലയം ഉപയോഗിക്കണം. രവി സന്‍സിയുടെ വീട് അഴുക്കു ചാലിനോട് ചേര്‍ന്നാണ്. ... Read more

In an effort that would push forward long-term sustainability measures in the Kerala tourism scenario, the state’s Responsible Tourism Mission has braced itself to help local communities in setting up as many as 1000 new home stays and 300 farm houses. With potential entrepreneurs from the tiny hamlet of Thiruvarppu in Kottayam (Kerala) having come forward evincing interest in joining hands with the project, the Responsible Tourism Mission organized a meeting with applicants from the region who are keen on setting up home stays and farm houses on January 26 at the Kanjiram Service Cooperative Bank auditorium. The Responsible Mission, ... Read more

Lulu Group, promoted by Yusuffali MA, has signed three MoUs with the Telangana government, to develop retail and food processing industry in the state. The agreement was signed during the UAE visit of Telangana Industries Minister K T Rama Rao to Lulu group Head Office in Abu Dhabi. Under the MoUs, Lulu will invest an amount of USD 400 million (Rs 2,500 crore) to construct 1.8 million sq ft area of mega shopping mall, set up food processing plant and a logistics and export processing unit for fruit and vegetables.  The foundation stone of the shopping mall will be laid within ... Read more

Kerala Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran meets HE Jamal Hussain Al Zaabi, the Consul General to South India and the head of the mission. The minister visited the Consul General at the UAE Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram, representing the state government to offer condolences on the sad demise of  Sheikha Hessa bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the mother of the ruler of the United Arab Emirates. Sheikha Hessa was the first wife of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the UAE when the federation of seven sheikhdoms became a country in 1971. She gave birth in 1948 to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed ... Read more

Dr Kailasavadivoo Sivan, the newly appointed ISRO chairman told that they are testing new ‘electric propulsion’ system that would replace the conventional technique of using chemicals for combustion. Photo Courtesy: isro.gov.in The new technology that comes under electric propulsion also has the ability to reduce the total payload, that would further improve the efficiency and manufacturing cost. As a policy to establish technology for the common man, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has conducted various departmental meetings to utilise space technology effectively. ISRO is currently serving various governmental and non-governmental departments in 125 areas to accomplish their desired tasks productively. ISRO ... Read more

Helped by the initiatives taken by the government for the sector, the Foreign exchange earnings (FEEs) from tourism reported 20.8 per cent growth to USD 27.7 billion in 2017. The introduction of  e- visa facility under three categories of tourist, medical and business for the citizens of 163 countries was one of the major innovative decisions made by the government, the survey noted. The launch of global media campaign for 2017-18 on various channels, launch of ‘The Heritage Trail’ to promote the world heritage sites in India, launch of international media campaign on various international TV channels,’Paryatan Parv’ celebrations across ... Read more

The Economic Survey of India for financial year 2017-18 was tabled in Parliament today. The survey pegged India’s GDP growth at 7-7.5 per cent in the 2018 fiscal. GST data reveals 50 per cent increase in number of Indirect Taxpayers. The survey also states that Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana account for 70 per cent of India’s exports. India’s internal trade in goods and services is 60 per cent of GDP. Real GDP growth to clock this fiscal is 6.75 per cent. Employment, education and agriculture to be the focus areas in medium term, Says Survey. The survey is ... Read more

The National Centre of Meteorology sends an alert saying fresh to strong winds is likely to continue over the Arabian Gulf and rough to very rough sea at times with wave height 8-10/12 ft till Tuesday morning. In its daily weather forecast, the NCM said that fresh to strong Northwesterly wind and rough sea in Oman sea offshore areas with wave height 4-6/8 ft till Tuesday afternoon. It has also cautioned residents that the winds may peak up from 45-60km/h at times. The temperature, according to the NCM, will range from 12-24C in coastal areas, 11-26C in internal areas, and ... Read more

Burj Khalifa in Dubai is inviting artists to showcase their work on its brand-new LED facade, which has been the centre of attraction of the ‘Light Up 2018’ Downtown Dubai spectacle. Designers and artists can compete by presenting their proposals and have their work displayed on the new facade. Artists from any nationality can submit the work. The submissions can also be made by individuals or groups. Ten creative works by 10 artists will be selected from the entries. The selected works will be displayed on Burj Khalifa’s LED facade. The creative works will also be featured on the tower’s ... Read more

The 4th International Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) 2018, supported by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, organised by International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), kick starts on Sunday at the Talkatora Indoor Stadium in Delhi. The season 4 of the world’s biggest culinary Olympiad will be concluded on February 2 with different rounds being held at Delhi, Pune, Bangalore and the grand finale will be held in Kolkata. YCO 2018 assures to be a much greater event in scale and grandeur. With over 50 countries participating at the culinary extravaganza, YCO 2018 will definitely attract eyeballs. Kenyan student Vivian Asiyo Aketch and her Lecturer Chef David Kariuki at the ... Read more

2017ലെ മികച്ച ഗാനം, ആല്‍ബം, റെക്കോര്‍ഡ്, എന്നീ മൂന്ന് പ്രധാനപ്പെട്ട പുരസ്‌ക്കാരങ്ങള്‍ അടക്കം ആറു പുരസ്‌ക്കാരങ്ങളുമായി ഗ്രാമിയില്‍ തിളങ്ങി ബ്രൂണോ മാഴ്‌സ്. ആര്‍ ബി വിഭാഗത്തിലെ ഗാനം, ആല്‍ബം, പെര്‍ഫോമന്‍സ് പുരസ്‌കാരങ്ങളും, മാഴ്‌സിന്റെ ’24കെ മാജിക്’ ആല്‍ബത്തിനും റെക്കോര്‍ഡിനുമുള്ള പുരസ്‌കാരങ്ങളും, ‘ദാറ്റ് വാട്ട് ഐ ലൈക്..’ മികച്ച ഗാനത്തിനുമുള്ള പുരസ്‌ക്കാരവുമാണ് നേടിയത്. ദ് റെക്കോര്‍ഡിങ്ങ് അക്കാദമി നല്‍കുന്ന അറുപതാമത് ഗ്രാമി പുരസ്‌ക്കാരച്ചടങ്ങ് നടന്നത് മാഡിസണ്‍ സ്‌ക്വര്‍ ഗാര്‍ഡനിലാണ്. അലൈസിയ കാരയാണ് മികച്ച നവാഗത സംഗീതജ്ഞര്‍ക്കുള്ള ബെസ്റ്റ് ന്യൂ ആര്‍ടിസ്റ്റ് പുരസ്‌കാരം നേടിയത്. ഹമ്പിള്‍ എന്ന ഗാനത്തിന് ബെസ്റ്റ് റാപ് പെര്‍ഫോമന്‍സിനും ലോയല്‍റ്റി എന്ന ഗാനത്തിന് ബെസ്റ്റ് റാപ്/സങ്ങ് പുരസ്‌ക്കാരവുമാണ് കെന്‍ഡ്രിക് ലാമര്‍ നേടിയത്. 84 വിഭാഗങ്ങളിലാണ് പുരസ്‌ക്കാരം പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചത്.

Photo Courtesy: tripzilla The Philippines stands to gain in the influx of more Chinese visitors with the first-ever direct charter flight from Xiamen (XMN), a coastal city in Fujian Province of China to Puerto Princesa City (PSS), Palawan starting next month. The Department of Tourism (DoT) paved the way for the creation of the XMN-PPS route which will be launched by February 10 by C&D Travel Service China, a charter operator based in Xiamen, with Philippine Airline (PAL) as the partner carrier. “We continue to welcome more Chinese tourists to the country as part of the improved diplomatic relationship between Manila ... Read more