Nashik: In a move to redefine tourism beyond conventional monuments and sightseeing, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has launched a comprehensive initiative centred on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) by providing a digital platform to the Bohada mask-making tradition-an ancient art form deeply tied to local rituals and tribal dance dramas that have long remained hidden from the wider world.
We do not need mass tourism that disrupts local life; we need niche tourism that directly benefits the people of Pimpalsond and preserves their invaluable art form for generations to come,” said Bhattacharya. “These tribal artists have been provided platforms to showcase their craftsmanship at prominent exhibitions in Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, earning critical acclaim and inspiring confidence within the community,” he said. The core objective was not merely art promotion, but sustainable economic empowerment. “The community is at the core. Contact Base worked with the MTDC to establish the project and has actively engaged master artisans, built local capacities, and created direct market linkages to eliminate intermediaries.
The Shabari Tribal Development Corporation is strengthening the regional tourism ecosystem by developing community-run homestays, according to a senior officer from the Tribal Development Corporation.