Dehradun: Chief Secretary Mrs. Radha Raturi has instructed to work on the DPR prepared as per the guidelines of ADB (Asian Development Bank) for the complete development of Tehri Lake and its catchment area, as well as to ensure the participation of all stakeholders, especially local villagers, in such projects and take their suggestions. CS instructed that ownership and participation of local people should be ensured in all tourism development related projects being run in the state. She has instructed to adopt a culture of discussing with stakeholders and local people and taking suggestions in all projects. Chief Secretary Mrs. Radha Raturi has instructed that special attention should be paid to environmental interests in all tourism development projects. Solid waste management should be given top priority in tourism development activities, especially in mountainous areas. She has also instructed to ensure strong arrangements for solid waste management on the Chardham Yatra route. Along with this, Mrs. Radha Raturi has also directed to make arrangements for waste management for homestays operating in rural areas. CS has directed to work on all tourism projects following the policy of maintaining balance between tourism and ecology. The Chief Secretary said that all projects related to the development of tourism in the state should be evaluated on the basis of how many local people have benefited from it related to employment, development and welfare.
Chief Secretary Mrs. Radha Raturi has directed during the second high powered committee (HPC) meeting related to sustainable, inclusive and climate friendly tourism development on Tehri Lake Development Project in the Secretariat on Monday that under this project, Tehri should be developed as a brand tourism destination by making local communities partners in development. CS directed that under the project, the historical importance of Tehri city should be re-established, tourism infrastructure should be strengthened, healthy and responsible tourism should be encouraged in the area, migration should be stopped, livelihood opportunities of local people should be increased and tourists visiting the area should be encouraged to stay here for at least 3 days.
It was informed in the meeting that under the ADB assisted Tehri Lake Project costing Rs. 1294 crore, about 96875 population of about 103 villages in an area of 52 square kilometers will be benefited. Under the project, various tourism facilities will be developed in Dobra Chanti, Tiwar Village, Koti Colony, New Tehri, Madan Negi and Lake Cluster.
Secretary Shri R Meenakshisundaram, Shri Sachin Kurve, Shri Dilip Jawalkar, Shri Pankaj Kumar Pandey and other officials were present in the meeting.
