In news– Pochampally village in Telangana has been selected as one of the ‘Best Tourism Villages’ by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
About UNWTO Best Tourism village–
- The prestigious award will be given on the occasion of the 24th session of the UNWTO General Assembly on 2nd December 2021 in Madrid, Spain.
- The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO Pilot initiative aims to award those villages which are outstanding examples of rural destinations and showcase good practices in line with its specified nine evaluation areas.
- It also aims to support villages to enhance their rural tourism potential through training and access to opportunities for improvement.
- Best tourism village is a global initiative to highlight those villages where tourism preserves cultures and traditions, celebrates diversity, provides opportunities and safeguards biodiversity.
- The Ministry of Tourism recommended three villages for the UNWTO Best Tourism Village entry from India — Kongthong in Meghalaya, Ladhpura Khas, Madhya Pradesh and Pochampally in Telangana.
About UNWTO–
- The UNWTO is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.
- It promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability.
- It was founded in 1975.
- Its Headquarters: Madrid, Spain
About Pochampally–
- Pochampally, is a town in Nalgonda district of Telangana and is often referred to as the Silk City of India for the exquisite sarees that are woven through a unique style called Ikat.
- This style, Pochampally Ikat, received a Geographical Indicator (GI Status) in 2004.
- Ikat is a Malaysian, Indonesian word which means “Tie and Dye”.
- Ikat involves the process of wrapping (or tying) and dyeing sections of bundled yarn to a predetermined colour pattern before they are woven.
- It is also known as Bhoodan Pochampally to commemorate the Bhoodan movement that was launched by Acharya Vinobha bhave from this village in 1951.
