Promoting eco-tourism to foster sustainable development and Conservation : CM

SHIMLA, 13.11.24-The State Government is taking pro-active measures to promote eco-tourism in the State, aiming to provide tourists with closer experiences of the wilderness and virgin ecosystems while ensuring the conservation of the natural resources. This was stated by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here today, adding that the initiative will also involve the local community, creating livelihood opportunities and raising awareness about the conservation and protection of the ecosystem.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government has given its nod to align with the recent amendments in the Forest Conservation Act, 2023, which will support eco-tourism in a sustainable manner. He said that the Eco-tourism Policy, initially established in 2017, has been revised to align with these goals. He said that this revised policy encourages community based eco tourism models that promote various activities, maximizing community benefits and promoting sustainable practices.

Sh. Sukhu said that to ensure consistent development, the State Government is also centralizing the coordination of eco-tourism activities across the State, to ensure synergy and uniformity. He said that a new mechanism for coordinated planning and execution is underway, which will ensure a streamlined approach to eco-tourism management. He said that the tourism sector is the mainstay in the economy and the State Government is committed to fostering its growth while preserving environmental integrity.

"Tourism in the State is flourishing, with around 2 crore visitors drawn annually to our majestic mountains, breathtaking landscapes, rivers and numerous trekking opportunities", said Sh. Sukhu. "Eco-friendly tourism is a key driver for sustainable development, environment conservation and allows tourists to fully experience the beauty and wilderness of the State", said the Chief Minister. However, many visitors miss the chance to experience the rich bio cultural diversity, therefore, the State Government is actively working to remove the bottlenecks, ensuring that every visitor enjoys a truly memorable experience.

The Chief Minister said that eco tourism offerings in the State include trekking, camping, bird watching and adventure sports, with new eco-tourism sites and trekking routes being approved to cater the tourists' preferences and safety. He said that the primary objective of these initiatives is to boost the State's economy by preserving the forest resources, creating new employment opportunities for the local community and encouraging eco-friendly tourism.

Shri Sukhu said, ''The State Government is committed to sustainable development, conservation and enriching the tourism experiences for visitors while benefitting the local communities."