UN tourism body lists Pochampally village of Telangana among the best Tourism Villages

Team L&M

Pochampally village in Telangana has been selected as one of the best ‘Tourism Villages’ by United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). 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 as per its specified evaluation.  It also aims to support villages to enhance rural tourism through training and access to opportunities.

The Ministry of Tourism had sent the names of three villages as entries for the award:  Kongthong in Meghalaya, Ladhpura Khas, Madhya Pradesh and Pochampally in Telangana.

Pochampally, 50 kms from Hyderabad, is a town in Nalgonda district of Telangana and is often referred to as the Silk City of India for its exquisite Ikat sarees. Back in 2004, Pochampally Ikat had received a Geographical Indicator (GI Status).

Ikat weaving is practiced by several villagers 

Pochampally is also known as Bhoodan Pochampally to commemorate the Bhoodan Movement that was launched by Acharya Vinobha Bhave from this village on April 18, 1951. Currently a two room Vinobha Bhave Mandir exists within the village which was earlier the place where Vinobha Bhave resided during his visit to the village.

“To promote rural economy through tourism and local arts and crafts, the Ministry of Tourism has drafted a Rural Tourism Policy. It will not only help redevelop and rebuild our villages and rural life, but also give an opportunity to residents of the villages to engage and interact with people from outside,” said Union Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) G Kishan Reddy said.