India’s government is looking into establishing a Heritage Development Authority (HDA) to enhance tourism numbers and boost visitor attraction quality at heritage sites across the country.

Chandana Khan, special chief secretary for tourism to the Indian government, said at a press conference that development of heritage sites currently requires coordination between a number of departments and most often the process of permissions and clearances delays various projects.

Because of this, the Indian government wants to establish a new heritage body to manage and improve, protect and develop these sites.

“To enable better coordination between different departments and to ensure proper protection of the large number of heritage sites in the State, the government is seriously considering the establishment of such an authority,” said Khan.

A new tourism policy is set to be drawn up with the proposed heritage body included. A 2010 tourism policy has been placed in abeyance as it put a financial burden on the government. When the new tourism policy is enacted, the proposed heritage body would aim to increase attendance at India’s cultural landmarks, plus improve visitor facilities and services on site.