Pranpur in MP emerges as model rural tourism hub

By Sundeep Pouranik

Bhopal, Aug 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) Many areas of Madhya Pradesh are rich in art and culture but they have not been duly recognised. However, Pranpur in Ashoknagar district is a village which has become an example of rural tourism as its art and culture is reaching different parts of the country and the world, effecting a big change in the lives of the people there.

Situated on the road going from Lalitpur to Chanderi, Pranpur is surrounded by beautiful valleys. Apart from the people who are well versed in the art of handloom and clay, the locals who make stone carvings also fascinate the outsiders here. Despite all this, this village came to the fore only in 2005, after it was made a part of the tourism project and the Amraee Rural Heritage Resort was built near here.

There is an interesting story of Pranpur taking shape as a rural tourism hub. Anand Upadhyay of Bird Volunteer Organisation says that he was engaged in the campaign to strengthen self help groups for women empowerment in Guna district around 2002. During this, the tourism project came to the fore, the purpose of this project was to contribute to rural livelihoods along with preserving rural handicrafts, ancient culture and historical heritage. A proposal was made and sent to the central government, which was approved.

Pranpur is a village where stone carving is the expertise of the people here. Apart from this, pottery and toys, metal crafts and wooden art are the means of livelihood for the people. There is also a large number of weavers here, besides music experts.

Pranpur was an apt village for this project of the Central Government's Tourism Department. The plan of a resort was implemented so that the people come here and after their stay, they get acquainted with the art. Five acres of land was found near the village and mango trees were planted there. Rai dance is the folk dance here. After combining the two of them, the name 'Amraee' was coined for the Amraee Rural Heritage Resort.

In this resort, local artisans have made stone rooms in which tourists from far and wide stay. When this was built, attention was paid to providing employment to the local artisans. There was also an emphasis on not cutting a single tree, so it was built at a place which was lying vacant.

Now this resort is run by the tourism development committee of the village. A local resident Hemant Jain explains that tourists from different parts of the country and the world, as well as children and groups who need to study, come here because it is difficult to find such a serene and picturesque view anywhere else.

On the one hand, while a relaxing place for tourists has been developed, on the other hand local people have also got employment as apparel like chanderi saris, suits and other handmade household items and furnishings are sold here.

The picture of Pranpur village has changed a lot because the handicraft veterans here have got a new identity apart from an increase in their business. Along with this, tourists also buy herbs from here. Overall, an effort has been made to give Pranpur a new identity, and that too in rural tourism.

The distance of Pranpur village from Bhopal, Gwalior and Khajuraho is about 230 km. The tourists coming here can easily visit many places, and can have a good time while keeping away from a hectic life.

Source: IANS