Snow Leopard Tour will encourage homestays, local guides, adventure tourism and other activities, thereby boosting the economy of the border areas says CM Pushkar Singh Dhami
Sunil Negi
To promote winter tourism in Uttarakhand, the state government has given instructions to take concrete and immediate steps.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered the early start of activities like snow leopard sighting, heli-skiing and Himalayan car rally.
Along with this, he has also issued instructions to improve all the arrangements and facilities of KMVN and GMVN in view of the winter travel by December 20 and to organize a meeting with hotel businessmen.
In the review meeting held at the Chief Minister’s residence late Saturday night, the Chief Minister held a detailed discussion with senior government officials and District Magistrates of all the districts regarding winter tourism.
In the meeting, instructions were given to develop the Saryu Corridor in Bageshwar and to develop the origin of the Saryu River as a religious and spiritual centre on the lines of Gangotri.
Apart from this, considering the possibilities of production of trout fish, kiwi and red rice in Bageshwar, special attention was asked to be paid to their promotion.
The Chief Minister also gave instructions to organize a grand international level Yoga Festival with the cooperation of the state government, private sector and social and religious organizations.
The Chief Minister stressed on incorporating feedback from tourists, tour operators, hoteliers and other stakeholders in the action plans related to the development of tourist destinations, so that the facilities can be developed as per the needs of the tourists.
In the meeting, instructions were given to soon implement the beautification plans of Rahu Temple and Lakhamandal Temple located at Paithani in Pauri.
Besides, emphasis was also laid on linking the Aarti organised in various Prayags and Ghats of the state including Devprayag with tourism.
The Chief Minister directed to organize a grand festival in every district of the state under the ‘One District-One Festival’ concept.
In the meeting, the Tourism Secretary informed that on the instructions of the Chief Minister, Snow Leopard Tour on Ladakh model is being started in Uttarakhand to give a new direction to winter tourism.
The aim of this initiative is not only to promote winter tourism but also to create new employment opportunities at the local level.
Snow Leopard Tour will encourage homestays, local guides, adventure tourism and other activities, thereby boosting the economy of the border areas.
