Dehradun: The Chief Minister has given instructions to immediately start snow leopard sighting, heli-skiing, and Himalayan car rally to promote winter tourism in Uttarakhand. The CM has also directed that all arrangements and facilities of KMVN and GMVN be improved by December 20th, keeping in mind winter tourism, and that a meeting be held with hotel owners.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a review meeting late Saturday night at the Chief Minister’s residence with senior government officials and district magistrates of all districts regarding the promotion of winter tourism. During the meeting, the CM directed the development of the Saryu Corridor in Bageshwar. He also directed the development of a religious and spiritual site at the origin of the Saryu River, on the lines of Gangotri. Considering the vast potential for trout fish, kiwi, and red rice production in Bageshwar, he directed that serious efforts be made to promote them. The state government, in collaboration with private institutions, social and religious organizations, should organize a grand international-level yoga festival.
CM Dhami directed that the feedback of tourists, tour operators, hotel owners, and other stakeholders should be included in the work plans related to the development of tourist destinations in the state. This will ensure that facilities are developed according to the needs of the tourists. In the meeting, the Chief Minister directed that the work plan for the beautification of the Rahu Temple in Paithani, Pauri, and the Lakhamandal Temple be implemented quickly and effectively. He also took note of the aarti (prayer ceremony) held at various confluences and ghats of the state, including Devprayag.
CM Dhami directed that a grand festival be organized in each district of the state under the One District-One Festival scheme. In the meeting, the Tourism Secretary informed that on the instructions of the CM, the state government is going to launch a Snow Leopard Tour in Uttarakhand on the Ladakh model to give a new direction to winter tourism. Under this, high Himalayan regions like Gangotri will be opened to tourists in a controlled manner during the winter. Snow leopard tourism will be conducted on an experimental basis in Gangotri National Park, located in Uttarkashi. The objective of this initiative is to promote winter tourism and create new employment opportunities at the local level. The snow leopard tours will encourage homestays, local guides, adventure tourism, and other activities, thereby strengthening the economy of the border regions.
The Tourism Secretary said that a comprehensive action plan is being implemented in the state to promote winter tourism, including the winter Char Dham Yatra, adventure tourism, cultural festivals, and wildlife tourism. This plan includes proposals such as roadshows in major cities of the country, digital and print media campaigns, live telecasts of evening aarti from pilgrimage sites, special tour packages, and discounted rates for hotels and resorts during the winter season.
Under the action plan, adventure activities such as skiing, trekking, paragliding, and rappelling will be organized in various areas including Auli, Khaliya Top, and Bednidhar. Winter carnivals will be held in Mussoorie, Nainital, and Uttarkashi, an international yoga festival in Rishikesh, and wildlife and snow leopard tourism activities will be organized in the Jim Corbett, Nandhaur, and Gangotri regions.
