While inaugurating the ‘Gawani Mahotsav 2018’ at Gawani village under Pokhra block in Pauri district on Friday, the Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that such festivals offer opportunity to keep in touch with the hoary traditions and culture of the State. “These festivals must be kept alive not just to keep alive the culture of the state but also to boost the local economy,” he said. After the inauguration, he visited several stalls put up by various departments and self-help groups at the Mahotsav premises. He called for bettering the quality of the local products to get a wider market. He also evaluated the products made by the self- help groups based at Yamkeshwar block.
CM said that the Chir (pine) trees could be made useful in many ways and many things could be prepared from them. He said that the pine trees besides giving employment could help in enhancing the income of the State.
Heaping praise on the people of village Gawani, he said that at a time when there are very few people willing to work for others the villagers here have set an example in helping others. “The people must return to the fields and the forests. The forest products can be used in generating employment,” he said. He, further, said that there is growing demand of Timla and Aawnla pickle. Many people have made it a means to enhance income and generate employment. He also stressed upon rose cultivation and said that rose oil is being sold for Rs 10 to Rs 12 lakh per kilogram.
While speaking on the occasion, the State Tourism Minister, Satpal Maharaj, said that there are ample opportunities for tourism in the district and asked the people to opt for self-employment.
He suggested that using the Deen Dyal Upadhaya housing scheme, the people in the villages could start home stay scheme with the help of banks.
He said that this would boost income with more people visiting the area which in turn would lead to more employment avenues.