Himachal govt to develop 77 new eco-tourism sites across state
Himachal Pradesh government has launched a new eco-tourism policy to develop 77 eco-tourism sites in different forest circles across the state.
This is expected to bring in ₹200 crore in revenue in the next five years, state government officials said. The goal is to attract tourists in a way that protects nature, creates local jobs and helps the economy grow in a clean and sustainable manner.
Eco-tourism means travelling to natural places without harming the environment. The Eco-Tourism Policy 2024 of Himachal has been specially made to support this idea, keeping both tourism and nature safe. Under the new policy, 77 eco-tourism sites are being developed in different parts of the state, including Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Bilaspur, Rampur, Solan, Nahan, Hamirpur, Nalagarh, Dharamshala, Palampur, Chamba, Dalhousie, Nurpur and Reckong Peo.
Out of these, eco-tourism operators have already been selected for seven popular sites: Potter Hill and Shoghi in Shimla, Solang Nallah in Kullu and Kasol in Parvati Valley. The rest of the sites are being developed in phases. Visitors will be able to enjoy eco-friendly activities like trekking, bird watching, forest camping, jungle walks, homestays and nature interpretation trails.
Eco-tourism committees have been formed in each forest circle to take care of these projects. Local youth are being trained as nature guides and workers. So far, more than 70 guides and 135 multi-purpose workers (MPWs) have been trained by HPECOSOC (Himachal Pradesh Eco-Tourism Society). This is also helping people get jobs and also encouraging them to take care of nature, said the spokesperson.
To make travel and bookings easier for tourists, the government has made these services available online. Over 100 forest rest houses and camping sites can now be booked through the HPECOSOC website. A trekking management system has also been introduced. More than 245 trekking routes have been marked and listed based on difficulty levels. A mobile app is also being made to guide tourists better.
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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Himachal govt to develop 77 new eco-tourism sites across state
Himachal Pradesh government has launched a new eco-tourism policy to develop 77 eco-tourism sites in different forest circles across the state. This is expected to bring in ₹200 crore in revenue in the next five years, state government officials said. The goal is to attract tourists in a way that protects nature, creates local jobs and helps the economy grow in a clean and sustainable manner. Eco-tourism means travelling to natural places without harming the environment. The Eco-Tourism Policy 2024 of Himachal has been specially made to support this idea, keeping both tourism and nature safe. Under the new policy, 77 eco-tourism sites are being developed in different parts of the state, including Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Bilaspur, Rampur, Solan, Nahan, Hamirpur, Nalagarh, Dharamshala, Palampur, Chamba, Dalhousie, Nurpur and Reckong Peo. Out of these, eco-tourism operators have already been selected for seven popular sites: Potter Hill and Shoghi in Shimla, Solang Nallah in Kullu and Kasol in Parvati Valley. The rest of the sites are being developed in phases. Visitors will be able to enjoy eco-friendly activities like trekking, bird watching, forest camping, jungle walks, homestays and nature interpretation trails. Eco-tourism committees have been formed in each forest circle to take care of these projects. Local youth are being trained as nature guides and workers. So far, more than 70 guides and 135 multi-purpose workers (MPWs) have been trained by HPECOSOC (Himachal Pradesh Eco-Tourism Society). This is also helping people get jobs and also encouraging them to take care of nature, said the spokesperson. To make travel and bookings easier for tourists, the government has made these services available online. Over 100 forest rest houses and camping sites can now be booked through the HPECOSOC website. A trekking management system has also been introduced. More than 245 trekking routes have been marked and listed based on difficulty levels. A mobile app is also being made to guide tourists better.
Hans India
6 days ago
- Hans India
Himachal Pradesh to take tourists closer to nature, say state officials
To promote eco-tourism in unexplored areas by developing infrastructure there, the Himachal Pradesh government has launched a project, officials said on Sunday. Under an eco-tourism policy, the government aims to develop 77 eco-tourism sites in various forest circles, besides emphasis will be on the promotion of local cuisines, folk artistes, local artisans, culture, tour and eco guides. With this initiative, the government is eyeing to generate revenue of Rs 200 crore in five years. Also, the aim, said a government official, is to attract tourists closer to nature, creating local jobs, and helping the economy grow in a clean and sustainable way. The state economy is highly dependent on tourism, besides hydroelectricity and horticulture. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the government is working to make Himachal a famous eco-tourism destination, said the official. With its snow-covered mountains, thick forests, clean rivers and rich wildlife, Himachal Pradesh has always been a favourite place for nature lovers. Now, the new eco-tourism policy aims to bring the tourists closer to nature, but in a responsible way. The Eco-Tourism Policy of 2024 aims to keep both tourism and nature safe. Under this policy, 77 eco-tourism sites are being developed across the state. They mainly fall in Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Bilaspur, Rampur, Solan, Nahan, Hamirpur, Nalagarh, Dharamsala, Palampur, Chamba, Dalhousie, Nurpur and Rekong Peo. Out of these, eco-tourism operators have already been selected for seven popular sites: Potter Hill and Shoghi in Shimla, Solang Nallah in Kullu and Kasol in Parvati Valley. The rest of the sites are being developed in phases. Visitors can enjoy trekking, bird watching, forest camping, jungle walks and nature interpretation trails. An important part of the eco-tourism policy is to involve locals. Eco-tourism committees have been formed in each forest circle, a government statement said. Local youth are being trained as nature guides and workers. At present, more than 70 guides and 135 multi-purpose workers have been trained by the Himachal Pradesh Eco-Tourism Society (HPECOSOC). To make bookings easier, the government has started online booking in 100 forest rest houses and camping sites. They can be booked through the HPECOSOC website. A trekking management system has also been introduced. More than 245 trekking routes have been marked and listed based on difficulty levels. A mobile app is also being made to guide the tourists. Himachal Pradesh, known for apples and picture-perfect tourist spots, attracted more than 181.24 lakh tourists, including 82,000 foreigners, in 2024. Last year's footfall was a rise of 13.24 per cent in comparison to the previous year. Since tourism contributes 7.78 per cent to the state's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), this new policy is expected to further strengthen the state's economy, believes the government.
New Indian Express
26-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Deccan Woods & Trails hosts nocturnal, bird walks at Manchirevula forest trek park
HYDERABAD: Deccan Woods & Trails, the eco-tourism initiative of the Telangana Forest Development Corporation, hosted an immersive Nocturnal Walk on Saturday night, followed by a serene Bird Walk on Sunday morning at the Forest Trek Park in Manchirevula. The event drew 22 enthusiastic participants, each stepping into the wild for a unique slice of nature's magic. Under the veil of night, the group was treated to a symphony of frog calls — from the ubiquitous Paddy Field Frog to the elusive Ornate Narrow—mouthed Frog and the resonant Bullfrog. The walk offered thrilling sightings of nocturnal creatures, including the Giant Forest Scorpion and the Common Kraits. Expert naturalists Akhil, Suman, and Aparanjani led the group with care and insight, guiding them on how to observe wildlife respectfully without disturbing the delicate rhythms of the forest. As dawn broke, the Bird Walk unfolded beneath a soft morning sun, revealing a vibrant display of avian life. The walk revealed sightings of the Grey-bellied Cuckoo, Blue-faced Malkoha, Oriental Honey Buzzards, Shikras, Lapwings, Nightjars, Black-shouldered Kites, among others. 'This event was great, not just for the wildlife spotted, but for the stories that will be carried long after. If you've ever longed to walk with the wild, listen to the forest breathe, and witness nature on its own terms, this is your call,' said L Ranjith Nayak, Executive Director, Eco-Tourism.
