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Mumbai (TOI - 08 Sep 2008): In Mumbai, we are obsessed with Bollywood. Taking a cue from this, a company promoted by top American film stars has drawn up an ambitious plan to mark its presence in India by constructing a Hollywood-theme five-star hotel overlooking the Arabian Sea in Mumbai. The plot chosen by the company is just a few hundred metres away from the landmark Hotel Taj Mahal and Tower, which is located near the Gateway of India. Planet Hollywood, whose promoters include actors Demi Moore, Bruce Willis and Sylvester Stallone and which runs a chain of theme restaurants and resorts in several countries, plans to construct a 21-storey five star hotel at the end of Arthur Bunder Road, Colaba on a 5,470 sq mt plot owned by Shubh Hospitality Private Limited. The hotel is to be built jointly with M/s Shubh Hospitality. The existing building, a heritage structure owned by Shubh Hospitality, will be brought down with permission from the heritage committee.

As per the company's proposal, the hotel will have 150 rooms. There will be 12 rooms each on 13 floors. The remaining floors will house restaurants, pubs, banquet halls, conference rooms etc. Each room's size will vary from 236 sq ft to 332 sq ft. When contacted, Siddharth Mobar, who owns Planet Hollywood India, confirmed that the company has submitted a proposal to the state government. "I cannot part with more information as of now given the location of the hotel," he said.

New Delhi (TNN - 15 Jul 2008): America's keen interest in India goes beyond the nuclear deal. It has also sent the highest number of tourists to India according to data collated by the tourism ministry.

The US has replaced the UK as the country sending the largest number of tourists to India. The number of visitors from the US touched 7.99 lakh, higher than those from any other country, out of the total 50.81 lakh foreigners who came to India last year. The UK—traditionally the leader— has come a close second, sending 7.96 lakh visitors in 2007. In 2006, their number was 7.34 lakh.

Incidentally, Bangladesh often rapped for the infiltration of illegal migrants is also sending visitors to India through the legal channel' for tourism and business. It was the third highest tourist-generating country in 2007, ahead of both Canada and France. Interestingly, the number of visitors from Bangladesh has decreased from 4.84 lakh in 2006 to 4.80 lakh in 2007.

Arrivals from Canada and France have, however, shown considerable increase despite the drop in their rankings. While 2.08 lakh Cana¬dians visited India in 2007, their number was 1.76 lakh in 2006. The number of French tourists also increased from 1.75 lakh to 2.04 lakh. Sri Lanka (2.04 lakh), Germany (1.84 lakh), Japan (1.45 lakh), Australia (1.35 lakh) and Malaysia (1.12 lakh) have emerged as the top ten tourist generating markets for India. According to data compiled by the tourism ministry, foreign tourist arrivals have grown by 11.5% in 2007-08. Industry sources have pointed out that the growth of tourists in India could be much higher but for the high costs of accommodation and air travel. "In a fiercely competitive market, we are losing out to our south¬east Asian neighbours who are dealing with large volumes. India, with its diversity, can offer tourists interests ranging from adventure sports, sanctuaries, heritage sites, pilgrimage spots, beaches and mountains if it's able to exploit its potential," an industry source said.

Jaipur (TNN - 06 May 2008): The water scarcity in Rajasthan has thrown up a pleasant surprise. Thanks to the drying up of several watering holes at Ranthambore national park, some tigresses led 14 thirsty cubs to a hole, giving forest officials the first glance of the new cuddly additions to Rajasthan's dwindling tiger population.

"We have spotted at least 14 cubs in the recent past," Rajasthan chief wildlife warden R N Mehrotra told TOI, explaining that the cubs had been spotted in batches, following their mothers to ponds and reservoirs which are closely watched by wardens to keep count of endangered big cats. Rajpal Singh, a member of the state's empowered committee on forest and wildlife, said the cubs were spotted by rangers. "Most of the cubs were about three months old," he said.

Singh said generally tigresses were very protective about cubs and shield them from public glare. "But with the scorching heat, these tigresses had to take the cubs to the watering holes, enabling wildlife staff to spot the cubs," he added. He said two cubs, about 6 months old, were also spotted in the Berda area of the park. "Now the number of cubs below one year of age has increased to over a dozen and we are contemplating shifting some of them to the Sariska sanctuary as there is no tiger left there," he said.

EYE ON THE TIGER
• Rajasthan had just 32 tigers as per the last census. All in Ranthambore as Sariska had none left
• Birth of 14 cubs a big boost for state's tiger population
DWINDLING NUMBERS
The 2008 census put the no. of tigers at 1,411, a dramatic fall from 3,600 tigers in 2002

Madhya Pradesh - 300; Kerala - 46; Karnataka - 290; Orissa - 45; Maharashtra - 103; Rajasthan - 32+14; Andhra Pradesh - 95; Chhattisgarh -26; Tamil Nadu - 76; West Bengal (Except Sundarbans) - 10; Assam - 70

The discovery of the cubs will hugely impact tiger population at Rantahmbore, the lowest among parks in the recently released census report. According the census published earlier this year, Madhya Pardesh had the highest population at 300 with Rajasthan at the last spot with a mere 32 big cats. Uttarakhand (178), Karnataka (290), Assam (70) were the other states with tigers.

Wildlife experts say that the spotlight on falling tiger numbers, nationally now at 1,411, has led to tighter security in most parks that have become easy hunting grounds for poachers. "We are tracking the movement of young cubs. They are still in the process of marking their territories," said forest officer Daulat Singh Shaktawat of Ranthambore.

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