In a bid to strengthen the tourism sector, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) is all set to organise a two-day water sports and cultural event starting on November 28 in the vicinity of the Tehri lake, which is spread across 40,000 acres. Chief Minister Harish Rawat would inaugurate the event where Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma would be present.
Besides, an investors' meet is also being organised by the UTDB to enable the investors explore the possibilities Tehri has to offer, the Secretary of Tourism, Shailesh Bagauli said while interacting with the media at the Institute of Hotel and Management here on Monday.
The State Government's objective is to seek private investments in tourism infrastructure of themes like the hub, leisure & solitude zone, sports & adventure zone and live & learn zone, at this new tourist destination.
The hub will be a gateway for the visitors which will connect with all the other zones. Various activities to be included in this zone are water shows, retail, restaurants, kid zone and car park.
The solitude zone set in this scenic environment will provide opportunities to the visitors to find peace. Nature trails, solitary sports for reading, writing, sketching, listening to music, yoga and meditation centre, wellness and rejuvenation spas, would be some of the features offered here.
"In sports and adventure zone, a winding road with high peaks, on one side, and a vast reservoir, on the other, would sound thrilling to the adventurers. The eagerness to walk down the hill to reach the reservoir or climb up to the peaks, the sheer joy of wind on the face as one paraglide or water skis or goes hiking or cycling, all combine to make a heady mix which in itself creates an adventure zone in the region," he said.
"In live and learn zone, Uttarakhand is abundant in art, architecture and culture. A learn zone is proposed that will not only nurture the art and culture of the area but also help the locals supplement their livelihood. It will include a cultural centre, art and craft haat, home stays, budget hotels," he added.
Bagauli further said that the State government is focusing on Tehri lake area for other basic infrastructure to support the investment climate. Besides, as part of the ongoing effort, a state hotel management institute has been opened which will feed the manpower requirement of various upcoming hospitality business around, he said.
To provide the basic infrastructure in the area considering the tourist's needs, the Union government has sanctioned a project worth Rs 80.37 crore under Swadesh Darshan, two ropeways project for Kaddukali to Surkunda Devi and Panchkoti to New Tehri are also being planned to develop to attract the tourists.
Renovation and expansion of tourism-related assets near Chamba along with residential and adventure sports facilities under ADB- assisted project are being developed by the tourism department, Bagauli said.
To provide better communication from one bank to other bank of the lake, a barge is being put into the public service from November 28 which will be given the communication services to the villagers and solve the bottleneck to the other side of the lake. The Rajiv Gandhi Adventure Sports Academy having aero water and land adventure centres is also being dedicated to the public on November 28, he said. He reiterated that their objective is to improve the economy of the area, in particular, and the State, as a whole, stopping migration from villages around, attract private investment on asset creation, development of new international destination and employment opportunities to the youth.
"The State government had spent Rs 65 lakh in the year 2014, but this year we are going to spend around Rs 1 crore," he said, expressing the hope that they would now make the place as a commercial hub in the next five to six years. "We would develop it on the pattern of Goa, where they organise adventure sports by using their own resource," the official added.