Latest news with #HimachalPradeshEco-TourismSociety
Hans India
2 days ago
- Hans India
Now, eco-tourism services go online in Himachal Pradesh
Now, eco-tourism services have gone online in Himachal Pradesh. Over 100 forest rest houses and camping sites can be booked through the Himachal Pradesh Eco-Tourism Society (HPECOSOC) website. A trekking management system has also been introduced, with more than 245 trekking routes listed according to categories of difficulty. A mobile app is being developed to further guide the trekkers, an official statement said on Sunday. The government has ensured that the Eco-Tourism Policy 2024 aligns with the rules of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the amended Forest Conservation Act (Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Adhiniyam, 2023). In 2024, over two lakh tourists visited Himachal Pradesh, including 82,000 foreign visitors, a rise of 13.24 per cent compared to the previous year. Tourism contributes 7.78 per cent to the state's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), and the new policy on eco-tourism is expected to further strengthen the state's economy. The eco-tourism policy has been launched to develop 77 eco-tourism sites. The government says it is expected to generate Rs 200 crore in revenue in five years. 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. Under this policy, 77 eco-tourism sites are being developed in different parts, including Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Bilaspur, Rampur, Solan, Nahan, Hamirpur, Nalagarh, Dharamsala, Palampur, Chamba, Dalhousie, Nurpur and Rekong Peo. Eco-tourism operators have already been selected for seven popular sites: Potter Hill and Shoghi in Shimla; Solang Nallah and Kasol in Parvati Valley, both in Kullu district. The remaining 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. An important component of the eco-tourism policy is to involve locals. Eco-tourism committees have been formed in each forest circle to oversee these projects. Local youth are being trained as nature guides and workers. So far, more than 70 guides and 135 multi-purpose workers have been trained, providing employment while encouraging environmental stewardship. In two and a half years, the government has built a strong foundation for eco-tourism. By protecting the environment, enriching biodiversity, and supporting the local economy, Himachal Pradesh is setting a remarkable example of how tourism and nature can go hand in hand.
Hindustan Times
02-06-2025
- 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
01-06-2025
- 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.
