Himachal Pradesh Government Plans Development of 77 Eco-Tourism Sites Across the State

The Himachal Pradesh government plans to establish 77 eco-tourism sites across various forest circles in the state over the next five years. This initiative is part of the Eco Tourism Policy-2024, which aims to promote tourism while preserving the environment. The policy seeks to attract visitors in a way that safeguards nature, generates local employment, and supports sustainable economic growth.

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Himachal Pradesh, known for its snow-capped mountains, dense forests, pristine rivers, and diverse wildlife, has long been a favourite destination for nature enthusiasts. The new eco-tourism policy intends to responsibly utilise this natural beauty. The development of eco-tourism sites will occur in regions such as Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Bilaspur, Rampur, Solan, Nahan, Hamirpur, Nalagarh, Dharamshala, Palampur, Chamba, Dalhousie, Nurpur, and Reckong Peo.

Eco-Tourism Sites and Activities

Eco-tourism operators have already been chosen for Potter Hill and Shoghi in Shimla, Solang Nallah in Kullu, and Kasol in Parvati Valley. The remaining sites will be developed in phases. Visitors can engage in eco-friendly activities like trekking, bird watching, forest camping, jungle walks, homestays, and nature interpretation trails.

Local involvement is a key aspect of this eco-tourism initiative. Eco-tourism committees have been established in each forest circle to oversee these projects. Local youth are being trained as nature guides and workers. So far, more than 70 guides and 135 Multi-Purpose Workers (MPWs) have been trained by the Himachal Pradesh Ecotourism Society (HPECOSOC).

Online Services and Trekking Management

To simplify travel and bookings for tourists, the government has made eco-tourism services accessible online. Over 100 forest rest houses and camping sites can now be reserved through the HPECOSOC website. A trekking management system has also been introduced with more than 245 trekking routes marked and categorised by difficulty levels. Additionally, a mobile app is being developed to provide better guidance to tourists.

In 2024, Himachal Pradesh welcomed over 181.24 lakh tourists, including 82,000 international visitors. This represented a 13.24 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Since tourism contributes 7.78 per cent to the state's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), this new policy is anticipated to further bolster the state's economy.

With inputs from PTI