Siddipet: Medak MP Raghunandan Rao said heritage walks helped students understand their culture, traditions and history while connecting with nature.
Tourism was not merely about visiting a place but also about learning about its history, culture and traditions, he said.
A heritage walk was organised at Ranganayaka Sagar on Saturday by the tourism department, with around 250 students and officials participating.
Rao, along with Siddipet district collector K. Haimavathi, flagged off the walk and took part in it.
Rao appreciated the district administration for organising the programme at Ranganayaka Sagar.
He said the government would provide `2 lakh each to PM SHRI schools for tourism activities from November and urged schools to utilise the funds to organise educational visits to tourist destinations.
Rao said India’s position in the global tourism rankings had improved from 69th place 14 years ago to 39th place due to various measures taken by the government.
He said tourists from 175 countries were visiting India.
He also offered to sponsor a visit to New Delhi for 50 intermediate and degree students from Siddipet district during Parliament’s winter session in December.
The students would be taken to Parliament and major tourist attractions in the capital, he said.
Rao felicitated students who presented an Oggu Katha performance.
Collector Haimavathi said students should first learn about the history, culture and tourist attractions of their own district and State before exploring other countries.
Siddipet has several spiritual and recreational destinations, including Ranganayaka Sagar, Mallanna Sagar, Kondapochamma Sagar and Yellamma Cheruvu, besides several prominent temples, she said.
She added that tourism clubs had been formed in schools and competitions conducted to encourage students to learn about the history of their villages, mandals and district, as well as ancient inscriptions and spiritual centres.
Students who won at the mandal and district-level competitions were presented cash prizes and felicitated.
Additional Collector (Revenue) Lakshmi Kiran, Siddipet RDO P. Sadanandam, trainee deputy collector Bhavya, nodal officer Vijay Bhargav, market committee chairpersons Yadagiri and Mahender, officials, students and public representatives participated.
The students visited the Marpada Urban Oxygen Park and Sri Komuravelli Mallikarjuna Swamy temple in Kondapak mandal.
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