Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here on Wednesday that the 182 metre world’s tallest statue – ‘Statue of Unity’– packed a potential to catapult Narmada district on to the global tourism map.

The region, he said, is replete with indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants and the delicacies made from locally produced rice are sure to be hit among the visitors. Plants like khati bhindi (an okra variety) that has tremendous healing properties are grown in this forest area. He also said that delicacies like Una Manda, Thokla Manda made from locally grown rice are sure to be hit among the visitors, he said.

“Tourism activities would bring about a change the lives of locals here. This will also spread the indigenous knowledge across the world. I am confident that this statue will become a centre to improve agriculture as well as the lives of local tribals here,” Modi said.

In his speech, Modi stressed that the statue would generate immense employment opportunities for the local tribals living near the dam in Narmada district.