Himachal to identify unexplored, untapped tourist places to boost tourism under ‘Nai Raahein Nai Manzilien’ scheme

Shimla, June 12: With an aim to identify unexplored and untapped tourist places in the countryside, the Himachal Pradesh government on Monday launched a new scheme named as ‘Nai Raahein Nai Manzilien’.

 

While presiding over the review meeting of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched a new scheme called ‘Nai Raahein Nai Manzilien’ with a budget allocation of Rs 50 crore for identification of unexplored and untapped tourist places in the countryside for diversification of tourism, especially to rural areas.

On this occasion, CM Jai Ram Thakur said that the state tourism Department has prepared nine circuits in the state for developing under the new scheme ‘Nai Raahein Nai Manzilien’. CM Thakur also said that this would also generate employment opportunities by way of promotion of local cuisines, folk artist, local artisans, tour guides, eco-guides, adventure guides.

Giving a brief detail, CM Thakur 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.

The Chief Minister also 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 further noted 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 would be developed in these circuits.

Importantly, one particular destination in each circuit would be developed as an ideal and unique tourist destination for attracting the tourists. Development of nature walks, eco trails, treks and hikes and organize a trip to orchards, home stays through private parties would be encouraged in a big way.