Himachal Government has launched a new scheme named ‘Nai Raahein, Nai Manzilien’ with a budget allocation of Rs 50 crores for identification of unexplored and untapped tourist places in the state for diversification of tourism, especially in rural areas.
Announcing this, the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over a review meeting of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department here on Monday, said that the State Tourism Department has prepared nine circuits in the State for development under the new scheme ‘Nai Raahein, Nai Manzilien’.
He said that these circuits are Jogindernagar- Barot-Kothi Kohar-Rajgungja-Bir- Billing, Sundernagar-Chail Chowk-Kamru Nag-Shikari Devi-Janjheli, Shimla-Khara Pathar-Rohru-Sandasu-Larot-Chanshal-Dodra Kwar, Dhauladhar Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Bhakra-Bilaspur-Sundernagar-Jogindernagar-Pong Dam, Solan-Habban-Rajgarh-Shillai, Manali-Rohtan-Tandi- Udaipur-Killar and Narkanda-Baghi-Khadrala-Chini (Kalpa)- Pangi Circuit.
Thakur said that after identification of three circuits amongst these, a committee of Tourism, PWD, Forests, Language, Art and Culture officers will visit the selected circuits and propose the activities to be undertaken after consulting the local panchayats and stakeholders.
He said that tourism infrastructure development works such as parks, rain shelters, toilets, street paths, walking trails, beautification of temples, landscaping, sarais, community halls, trekkers hostel, roads widening wherever possible and feasible, signages and traffic directions, parking, lighting, dustbins, solid waste system improvement etc. would be developed in these circuits.
One particular destination in each circuit would be developed as an ideal and unique tourist destination for attracting the tourists, said Thakur.
The Chief Minister further said that home stays through private parties, development of nature walks, eco trails, treks and hikes and organise trip to orchards etc. would be encouraged in a big way.
He added that this would also generate employment opportunities by way of promotion of local cuisines, folk artist, local artisans, tour guides, eco-guides, adventure guides etc.
During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, Ram Subhag Singh gave detailed power point presentation on tourist circuits.