The two-day Tehri lake Adventurous Tourism Festival and Investor Conference was inaugurated by Chief Minister Harish Rawat in the presence of Union Minister of State for Tourism Mahesh Sharma and State Tourism Minister Dinesh Dhanai. On this occasion, Rajiv Gandhi Adventurous Sports Academy, Floating Marina (Restaurant) and Traveler and Goods carrying Bardge were dedicated to the people of the State.
In his address, the CM said that their dream of a developed Uttarakhand with Tehri figuring a prominent place in it was coming true. Encouraging investment in tourism sector, he assured the investors that the State Government would provide all possible assistance to them. "The State Government is keen to link the tourism with the State's economy. A working plan is being prepared to use the natural resources in a better way," Rawat said, adding that tourism-based activities would have to be conducted at local levels.
"A solid working plan to be prepared jointly by the district administration, district panchayat and tourism department at the local levels would ensure that ample employment opportunities are created at local levels. There are immense possibilities loaded in the tourism sector in Uttarakhand. The State Government is working on development of water sports, adventure tourism, and mountaineering sectors," he said, adding that Uttarakhand is carving a niche for itself in the realm of adventurous sports across the globe.
Rawat thanked the Union Minister for supporting the tourism schemes being initiated in the State. Central Government's assistance is expected for the schemes being prepared to develop new tourism circuits by the State Government, he said.
He further said that the State Government had started Himaliyan Darshan Yojna with its own resources. "Uttarakhand will roll out new milestones in the coming one or two years on the global tourism map through the ongoing efforts of the State Government," he said, adding that over 10 lakh devotees had visited Chardham Yatra this year with the State Government exerting itself fully to draw more of them in the coming year.
Union Minister Mahesh Sharma assured the State that the Centre had been providing every possible help for tourism schemes in the State. He said that they had released Rs 80 crore for tourism schemes while Rs 60 crore would be released soon. local youths will get employments through expansion of tourism activities in the State, he said, adding migration will be curbed through them.
Dhanai said that development of Tehri lake was the only means to help the affected people of Tehri region. The lake will become definition of development if employments opportunities are created at the local levels, he said. It is necessary to invite big investors to develop Tehri lake and curb migration, he stressed while stating that the State government was serious on the matter.
A letter containing 23-point charter of demands concerning the problems, the people in the region are facing, was handed over to CM Rawat on the occasion. The CM assured that he would take positive action to fulfil them.