Himachal Government on Thursday said it would develop Janjehli area in Mandi district from eco-tourism point of view, Bir Billing in Kangra district as destination of para gliding and adventure sports, Pong Dam as water sports destination and Chanshal area in Shimla district as favoured destination for winter sports and skiing.
Presiding over a presentation on ‘Nai Rahein, Nai Manjilein’ scheme of the state government to explore lesser known tourist destinations in the state here, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that to lessen the burden from already overcrowded tourists destinations like Shimla, Kullu-Manali, Dharamshala etc., the government has launched this ambitious scheme to create world class infrastructure for the tourists so that they could be motivated to visit these virgin destinations.
He said that hotel chain group Club Mahindra has agreed to establish a resort at Janjehli with an investment of Rs. 50 crore. Besides, Rs. 25 crore would be spent on creation of basic eco tourism related facilities like developing camping sites, tracking routes, new points, upgradation and renovation of existing forest rest houses and setting up of log huts for the tourists.
He said that camping sites would be developed at Devidhar, Panjain and Bijahi etc. In addition to this, interpretation centre would be established at Bandal in proposed Baglamukhi Nature Park.
He said that cactus garden, ropeway, nature walk and rock climbing facilities would also be developed in the area. He said that log huts would be constructed near Pandoh to ensure that the tourists visiting Kullu-Manali area get another tourist destination on way from Mandi to Manali.
Thakur said para gliding centre would be developed at Bir Billing by spending Rs. 8 crore. Besides, traditional tracking routes, resting places and other comfort facilities would be strengthened for facilitating the adventure lovers visiting the area.
He said Pong Dam in Kangra district has been declared as Ramsar site which is world famous site for bird watchers as lakhs of birds migrate to this place every year. He said two boats with sitting capacity of 14 people have already been provided in the Pong Dam to facilitate visitors and two additional boats would be provided soon.
Thakur said Chanshal area in Shimla district was also being developed as a destination for winter sports and pre-feasibility report regarding development of ski slopes, resorts, ropeways and other facilities have already been prepared.
Additional Chief Secretary Tourism Ram Subhag Singh gave away a detailed presentation and said the department would ensure that all these four destinations
would be developed as a benchmark in promoting virgin destinations in the State from tourism point of view.