Shaheed Dweep, Sept. 11: In a major step toward expanding experiential travel and promoting grassroots entrepreneurship, the Department of Tourism, in association with the Department of Industries, organised a Special Facilitation Camp at the Community Hall, Shaheed Dweep today. The camp aimed to raise awareness and extend direct financial assistance under the World Bank-assisted Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) scheme.
The initiative received an overwhelming response from local residents, youth, potential homestay operators, and tourism stakeholders, with 50 beneficiaries filling application forms on the spot to avail the scheme’s benefits and on spot registration of beneficiaries under MSME.
Under this initiative, the Tourism Department is extending targeted financial subsidies for the procurement and installation of astronomical telescopes, setting the stage to establish Shaheed Dweep as a prominent hub for niche Astro-Tourism. The project aims to capitalize on the island’s clear night skies and minimal light pollution to create new, sustainable livelihood avenues beyond daytime beach activities.
The Subsidy Structure Under RAMP scheme includes:
50% reimbursement of the total cost of the telescope, including installation for Male Beneficiaries while Women and ST Beneficiaries would be reimbursed 75% of the total cost of the telescope, including installation.
Officials from both departments and consultant for the scheme from KPMG team actively engaged with participants throughout the day, providing hands-on guidance on documentation, eligibility criteria, and operational models for stargazing ventures. Beneficiaries were encouraged to leverage night-sky observation setups to offer value-added evening experiences to tourists, thereby boosting local incomes.
Prospective beneficiaries who were unable to attend the camp can still collect the application forms and detailed guidelines from the Planning Section, Directorate of Tourism.