Rajiv Kumar
Director, Information & Public Relations,
Shimla
Himachal Pradesh holds a significant place in India’s tourism sector. To establish the state as a preferred destination for tourists in every season, the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has taken several progressive initiatives. The government’s policies aimed at promoting tourism and providing better facilities to visitors are yielding positive results. This has led to the scenic valleys of Himachal Pradesh bustling with domestic and international tourists.
The state government is giving a new dimension to various aspects of tourism. While Himachal is traditionally known for religious tourism, it is now being developed as a hub for adventure tourism as well. The state’s reservoirs are being promoted as destinations for luxury and adventure tourism. In this regard, facilities such as cruises, shikaras, houseboats, jet skis and water scooters have been introduced for the first time in Gobind Sagar Lake. The government has also decided to develop a 30-kilometre-long cruise route from Harnauda in Bilaspur district to Tattapani of Shimla district.
International-level sporting events are being organized in the state, giving a major boost to adventure tourism. The Asian Rafting Championship was successfully conducted on the Beas River in Nadaun of Hamirpur district and on the Sutlej river in Shimla district. Bir Billing in Kangra district is regarded as a paradise for paragliders from around the world. Efforts are underway to explore paragliding opportunities in other parts of the state as well. As part of this initiative, the Paragliding World Cup was organized in Junga of Shimla district.
Recognizing the vast potential of eco-tourism, the state has introduced a new Eco-Tourism Policy. The primary objective of this policy is to create employment and self-employment opportunities for rural youth.
Under an innovative initiative of the Chief Minister, border tourism has been launched through Shipki La. The government is also developing Himachal Pradesh as an astro-tourism destination and a star-gazing facility has been inaugurated in Kaza, Lahaul-Spiti.
The government is developing Kangra as the Tourism Capital of the state. To increase tourist arrivals, the expansion of Kangra Airport is currently underway. Construction of heliports in all district headquarters is also progressing. In Dehra sub-division of Kangra district, the Durgesh Aranya Wildlife Park is being developed at an estimated cost of Rs. 619 crore. The project is expected to emerge as a major attraction for both tourists and local residents.
Government initiatives are opening new avenues of self-employment for the youth. Under the Chief Minister Tourism Start-up Scheme, financial assistance on loans will be provided for establishing new tourism enterprises and expanding existing homestay units. Under the scheme, interest subsidy of 3 percent in urban areas, 4 percent in rural areas, and 5 percent in tribal areas is being granted to eligible beneficiaries.
With increasing tourist footfall in the state capital, Shimla, several tourism-related projects are in progress. A Rs. 246-crore underground utility duct project is being implemented to beautify the city. The project aims to modernize urban infrastructure, improve civic amenities and enhance the city’s aesthetic appeal. The state government remains committed to developing modern, sustainable and citizen-centric urban infrastructure. This project is expected to be a significant milestone in Shimla’s transformation and will provide a better experience for both residents and visitors.
Under the leadership of Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Himachal Pradesh is moving steadily toward comprehensive and sustainable development.
