HP to be promoted as best tourist destination: CM

The Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday said that Himachal Pradesh would be aggressively marketed as a tourist destination at national and international levels.

New snow points such as Chanshal, Saach Pass, Jalori Pass, Shrikhand and Dhauladhar etc. would be identified and developed so that tourists could be roped in to visit these places, he said during a meeting with the State delegation that had visited Sikkim recently.

The delegation of MLAs and senior officers from Himachal, had visited Sikkim from June 11 to 15 to study the initiatives taken by Government of Sikkim in the field of tourism, organic farming, sanitation and solid waste management. The delegation submitted its report to the Chief Minister on Wednesday.

The members of the team gave a detailed power point presentation detailing various initiatives taken by the Sikkim Government in the field of tourism, organic farming and sanitation. They apprised the Chief Minister regarding tourism economy of Sikkim and also informed that Sikkim was the first State in the country which has been declared as 'organic State'.

The members suggested that Himachal Pradesh can learn from Sikkim to promote tourism with least impact on environment by participation of local people.

The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of the team and said that State would also endeavour to promote religious, adventure, and eco-tourism.

He said that special thrust would be made on exploring lesser known tourist places.

The Government would also contemplate to provide training to taxi drivers and operators to act as tourism ambassador of the State. The tourist circuits such as Buddhist circuit, religious circuit, trek circuits etc. would also be developed in the State, he added.

He said that apart from improving road connectivity, efforts would be made to construct maximum ropeways by encouraging private participation in this sector.

Thakur, while presiding over a meeting regarding action plan of Tourism and Water Sports here later, announced that the State Government would prepare a comprehensive plan to develop natural and manmade water reservoirs created due to construction of power projects as major tourists' attractions.

He said that a committee of senior officers of Tourism, Power and Youth Services and Sports Departments would prepare an action plan and submit its report within a month to the government.

The Chief Minister said that possibilities would be explored to start water sports such as boating and shikaras in Chamera Water reservoir.

He added that Pong Dam could prove a major attraction not only for bird lovers but also the reservoir could be developed as favourite destination for water sports enthusiasts.