Speaking at the inaugural function of the Silver Jubilee edition of SATTE, Uttarakhand Chief Minister T S Rawat made an impassioned plea to the Indian and international dignitaries in the audience to put the picturesque Himalayan state of Uttarakhand in greater tourism spotlight. He took the opportunity to highlight some of Uttarakhand key tourism attraction and also promised red-carpet welcome to those interested in investing state’s burgeoning tourism and hospitality sectors. The Chief Minister particularly highlighted opportunities in the religious and spiritual tourism, nature, wildlife, Aventure tourism, water based activities
“Uttarakhand, known as the Devbhoomi (Abode of God), is home to a number of prominent religious places like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Hemkunth Sahib, Jageshwar, Bageshwar, Panch Badri, Panch Kedar, Panch Prayag. This is where Mahabharata and Vedas were written. The state boasts of a long tradition of nurturing India’s culture and heritage and is one of the finest destinations for spiritual quest and cleansing,” Rawat said.
Rawat also highlighted the scope of wildlife and nature tourism. “Jim Corbett National Park boasts of the second largest Tiger population in India, 71.5 per cent of the state is under forest cover, the great Himalayas whose peak are covered in snow at all time of the year, there are more than hundred year-round rivers making the state ideal for water based adventure activities like river rafting,” he said. He also pointed that Uttarakhand is a great winter tourism destination with its beautiful nature and pristine destinations.
Furthermore, he informed, “If you want to explore the myriad colour of nature, the Nelong Valley in Uttarkashi shows nature in all its hues. The mountains, valleys and the stones in them are multi-coloured and can be seen in bronze, yellow, golden, green, silver colours. Nelong shows different colours of nature and if you have visited here once you would want to come again and again. Auli is another breathtakingly magical destination that makes you feel as if you can feel the beautiful sky above with your hands, with Nandadevi, India’s highest peak, setting its background. It’s a destination for all, for kids, for adrenalin junkies, or elderly who are on a spiritual quest.”
The Chief Minister also used the occasion to make a pitch to potential investor in the state’s tourism and hospitality sector. “You can also come as an investor in the state’s tourism sector. If somebody wants to come forward to invest in the state’s tourism and hospitality sector or in wellness and adventure tourism, we would extend red carpet welcome for them. This is our policy,” he said.
Some of the destinations he drew attention to for potential investments were Tehri Lake and other big water bodies in Uttarkashi and in Srinagar Garhwal on the way to Badrinath. About Tehri, he said is a 60 kilometres long lake on Bhagirathi and Bhilangna rivers and a great destination for water based activities and potential investment in tourism infrastructure there.
