Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while presiding over the meeting of Himachal Pradesh Eco Tourism Society here on Monday evening said that the State Government would promote eco-tourism on a large scale and infrastructure was being developed for the same.
The Government has identified 11 eco-tourism sites in forest areas having scenic and natural beauty including Swaar, Saurabh Van Vihar, Neugal Park, Bir-Billing in Palampur forest division, Kasol, Kheer Ganga and Sumarupa in Parvati forest division, Sojha in Seraj, Narkanda in Kotgarh and Shogi camping site besides Potter Hill camping site under Shimla forest division. Every eco-tourism destination will be developed in an area of one hectare. A reserve price has been fixed for these sites to be developed and operated through outsourcing, he added.
The Chief Minister said that nature has blessed Himachal with immense natural beauty and splendour attracting tourists worldwide. He said that eco-tourism would help in increasing the footfall of the tourists and add to the revenue as well. Apart from this, employment and self-employment opportunities will also be created in the state. He said that eco-tourism sites at other places in the state will also be identified and developed from tourism point of view.
Revenue Minister, Jagat Singh Negi, Education Minister, Rohit Thakur, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, Ram Kumar and Sanjay Awasthi, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Bharat Khera, Secretary Forest, Amandeep Garg, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Rajiv Kumar, Principal Private Secretary to the Chief Minister, Vivek Bhatia and senior Officers were also present in the meeting.