India Report: Madhya Pradesh Plans to Implement Tourist Registration System

Madhya Pradesh to Implement Tourist Registration System at Religious Sites to Tackle Overtourism

In a bid to address the issue of overcrowding and overtourism at its top religious destinations, the central state of Madhya Pradesh is considering the introduction of a tourist registration system. Sources have revealed that the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain is among the sites that could be included in this system.

Following in the footsteps of Uttarakhand, which has already implemented a mandatory registration system for pilgrimage to key temples, Madhya Pradesh aims to cap the number of tourists visiting these sites according to its infrastructure capabilities. This move is intended to provide visitors with a better and more organized experience while preserving the sanctity of the religious sites.

The government of Madhya Pradesh recently disclosed that the state witnessed a tourism boom in 2023, with over 112 million tourists visiting, surpassing pre-Covid levels by a significant margin. Places of religious significance, such as Ujjain, Maihar, and Omkareshwar, attracted a large number of pilgrims, contributing to the surge in tourist numbers.

With nearly 50% of tourists visiting Madhya Pradesh in 2023 heading to Ujjain alone, the state is keen on managing the influx of visitors to ensure sustainable tourism practices. By exploring measures like mandatory tourist registration, Madhya Pradesh aims to strike a balance between promoting religious travel and preserving the cultural heritage of its sacred sites.

As the state gears up to implement the tourist registration system, tourists and pilgrims can expect a more streamlined and regulated experience when visiting the religious sites in Madhya Pradesh.