The number of tourists coming to Uttarakhand had reduced substantially due to the natural disaster which struck the State in the year 2013. The Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand N Ravishankar said this while interacting with the visiting members of National Defense College New Delhi.
The Chief Secretary said that the work of rehabilitation is happening in the State at a fast pace and helipads are being formed in different parts of the State to deal with disaster like situation in future. He said that the State Government is committed to extend a message that Uttarakhand is safe destination for the tourists. The State Government has also started winter Char Dham Yatra for this purpose.
The CS informed the delegation that Himalaya Darshan yatra would start from next week. He reiterated the State Government’s plan to ensure that pilgrims are able to reach the Char Dhaams at a minimal cost. He said that along with religious tourism, adventure sports and wellness tourism is also being encouraged in the State. Work of permanent nature for Ardh Kumbha 2016 have also begun.
“Uttarakhand is maintaining a balance between environment conservation and development. Panchayat raj system is being strengthened and efforts are being so that small hydel project will be constructed by Panchayat themselves.” Ravi Shankar said.
The delegation of NDC which is visiting the state praised the rehabilitation work being carried out in the state. The visiting group suggested that the tourists coming to Uttarakhand must be registered online and the state government should think on starting a Hill aviation service. The delegation was told that work of bio metric registration of pilgrims has already begun and to strengthen, aerial services, helipads and helidromes are being constructed in distant areas.
The additional Chief Secretary S Raju, Principal Secretary Home MH Khan, Principal Secretary Forest and environment Ranveer Singh, Secretary Tourism Umakant Panwar, Secretary Urban development DS Gabryal, Secretary Home Vinod Sharma, Secretary Disaster management Bhaskaranand and other senior officials were present during the meeting.