Promotion And Development Of Tea Tourism Infrastructure In Assam
State: Assam
Ministry: null
Department: Tourism Department
Category: Travel & Tourism
Beneficiary Type: Individual, Business Entity

The scheme “Promotion and Development of Tea Tourism Infrastructure in Assam” was launched by the Government of Assam which broadly includes the overall experience of tourists in the midst of a tea garden or state, with accommodation facilities in iconic bungalows with modern amenities.

Benefits:
The scheme will upgrade the existing tourist infrastructure of the Tea Garden.
The scheme will encourage private tea companies to promote tea tourism in the State.
The scheme will help to develop modern amenities to attract tourists from all over the world.
The scheme will help to develop coordination amongst the tea stakeholders including state tourist operators for flourishing tea –tourism.
The scheme will promote tea tourism promotional activities such as plucking tealeaves, going on nature walks, trekking and rafting, and even play of golf, etc.
Focusing cultural and socio-economic scenario of the Tea Tribes of Assam worldwide for tourist attraction.
Local traditions like food, attire, and handicrafts will be promoted.

Eligibility:
While selecting the tea gardens for boosting tea tourism in the state, the following selection criteria would be followed:-

   1. Private Tea Garden companies’ Garden owners can apply.
   1. If the tea garden is on a lease, then, the leaseholder can also apply subject to the lease period in hand being a minimum of 15 years from the date of application.
   1. Tea Garden company/Garden owner/ lease holder must be willing to undertake a tea tourism scheme.
   1. Tea Gardens which are iconic/heritage will be preferred.
   1. The ideal size of the tea garden should be 50 hectares and above. In the case of the hill district, the ideal size may be reduced to 25 hectares.
   1. Tea Gardens must be free from all kinds of disputes, free from encroachment, and industrial pollution.
   1. Tea Gardens situated nearest to the reserved forest, wildlife sanctuaries, and National Parks as well as other existing major tourist destinations/circuits, will be preferred.
   1. Tea gardens which have many more existing tourist infrastructures, especially iconic bungalows, golf courts, etc. shall be preferred.
   1. Assistance will be given only for the renovation of iconic bungalows and newly created tourism infrastructures.
   1. For employment purposes in tea tourism-related activities dependent on Tea Garden, workers will be given preference.

Application Process:
[Offline]
Step 01: Assam Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., will give wide publicity through open advertisements in daily newspapers, electronic media, etc. as per the norms. The applicant must check on a regular basis these sources of information.
Step 02: The interested and eligible applicants shall apply in the prescribed format to be issued by the Managing Director, Assam Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., Guwahati, and will submit the same along with all supporting documents as specified.
Step 03: Each individual tea garden meeting the eligibility criteria will apply for benefits under the scheme and come up with a presentation on the proposed infrastructure to be developed along with the estimated cost to be presented before the Selection Committee.
Step 04: The application shall be scrutinized by the State Level Committee (SLC) for the selection of Tea Gardens to be undertaken under the project.
Step 05: Once scrutiny is done, a physical inspection of the sites will be carried out by ATDC.
Step 06: After scrutiny and physical inspection, the list of eligible tea gardens will be approved by the SLC for further implementation of the scheme.
Step 07: SLC will act as the Guiding Force in all aspects for the effective implementation of the scheme.

Documents Required:
Voter, PAN & Aadhar card: Identity documents of the applicant
Roadmap: A sketch or snapshot of Google Maps, showing the way to the location from the nearest prominent place or from the main road.
No objection certificate from circle officer/DC.
Police Verification Report of the applicant.
Tourist place photos: proximate tourist attractions/place of interest photographs
Demand Draft of ₹ 5000/- (Non-Refundable) with the Form in favour of Managing Director, Assam Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., Guwahati.
Proper Land documents of the tea garden. (certified copy of deed/land document (patta/namjari))
Lease agreement in case of tea garden on lease.
Copy the Site plan etc. of the tea garden.
Site photographs: the desired location for photographs
Passport Photos: 1 copy self-attached photograph stick on the form and two other photographs self-attached along with Form No. on the back side to be pinned with form.
Photocopy of the form: need two sets of forms (1 set original + 1 set photocopy).
Envelope: 1 no. self-addressed envelope.
A self-contained proposal on Tea tourism clearly indicates the work to be done for making the tea garden a tea tourism spot so that all the recreational infrastructures are highlighted.
Undertaking pertaining to compliance with all the norms and/or provisions of the implementing Guidelines.
Balance sheets of the tea garden for the last five years to be duly certified by the CA.
Financial soundness certificate.