A major industrialisation and tourism drive is set to transform the picturesque hilly district of the Dangs in South Gujarat. The Central Government has recently declared the district as industrially backward where entrepreneurs interested in setting up industrial units will be totally exempted from income tax and will receive a 100 per cent relief on sales taxes. Also, a 25 per cent subsidy will be given by the government for setting up industries.A notification to this effect was issued recently and covers 53 districts in the country. The Dangs is the only district from Gujarat to have been included in this category. ``Our efforts are to develop the Dangs in the Switzerland of India,'' says Sanjay Nandan, the Dangs district collector.He could be helped in his efforts by the Tata Consultancy Services who have conducted a detailed study of developing the hilly terrain into a tourism spot. A market survey of the Saputara and a study report recently submitted by them consists of recommendations to developtourism growth without degrading the resources. Some of these are listed under immediate requirement and would be completed quickly. These include setting up of visitors amenities at Valley View Point, to set up amenities at Lake Garden and Rose garden and landscaping of the Saputara roads.Already land has been allotted to projects of which a complete set up of the hill station would be done within a small period. The collector has also invited entrepreneurs to set up resorts in the area.
