June 24, 2006
NEW DELHI: Working with the United Nations Development Program, India's Tourism Ministry has identified 36 villages across 20 states in the country where visitors can enjoy life's simple pleasures in a rural setting.
The plan to promote rural tourism would create jobs in the villages and encourage villagers to clean up their surroundings. It is also expected to boost handmade crafts and traditional art forms.
Although the villages have piped water and electricity, most people live as they have for generations, growing crops and raising poultry.
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