Kangra to be developed as Tourism hub

Endowed with diverse places of tourism attraction, the hill state of Himachal Pradesh, in one of its flagship schemes, is according priority to boost tourism with a motive to strengthen the ‘Economy through Tourism’. Apart from opening the entire State for the ‘All Season’ tourism activities, the main focus is to develop adventure, religious, health and heritage tourism in a big way. The biggest district in terms of population, Kangra is to be developed as the Tourism hub of the State, so as to be recognized as the ‘Tourism Capital’. The Government is committed to construct helipads near every district headquarters and the identification of land for these helipads is in progress. The existing airports were being refurbished. The airstrips will also be expanded and besides it will facilitate the landing of big aircrafts. This will help give a fillip to tourism in a big way. Kangra being a land of ancient temples, monasteries, Churches, the reservoirs, the worlds famous Billing paragliding site, the snow clad sun kissed  Dhauladhar ranges, lakes and serene water bodies needs to be exploited to its maximum, says Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and to make Kangra district as Tourism Capital is one of the flagship programme of the Government. Emphasis will be laid for activity based tourism in the State, which apart from generating direct and indirect employment opportunities to the youth will also be a milestone for enhancing the State’s economy. The Government was also mulling to set up a Zoo matching international parameters at Dehra in Kangra and Golf Course of International standard in district Kangra. The State Government also proposes to prepare a detailed project report for the ‘Tent City” at base camp of Dhauladhar ranges and will be well connected by approach road. Around 200 encampments will be erected initially having all luxury and comfort. In a recent meeting with the Goa Chief Minister, both the States have agreed to collaborate to amalgamate the marine and the mountain experience together to make it a unique destination in the world by unlocking the potential of 4Ts viz: Trade, Tourism, Technology and Talent, with interchange of ideas in the series of marine-mountain based theme science workshops and exchange of events. The weekly packages will be served to the tourists by both the governments interlinking the itinerary. The Government also mulls to develop as many as 25 sites as tourist attraction places under the ‘Vibrant Village Programme’. Further, the reservoirs of the State, particularly the Ramsar wetland Site, a home to migratory birds, the Chamera dam in Chamba, Govindsagar Lake in Bilaspur will be developed for water sports activities. The government will facilitate the youth by granting them subsidies for purchase of pedal boats or hydrofoil bikes which will serve as a source of livelihood for them in future. Activities like Mountain biking, Golf, Hot-Air ballooning, Heli-skiing, winter games such as Snow Marathon, and Ice Hockey will be promoted in a big way in the district. Besides this, Kayaking, water Skiing, house boat accommodation, camping, rafting, will be introduced in a big way and the local youth will be trained for taking up such activities through professionals. Bir-Billing paragliding site would be developed, particularly the take-off site with basic amenities both for the National and International gliders. Sissu, at the Northern end of the Atal Tunnel in Lahaul and a home of local deity Raja Ghepan has become a favourite tourist destination. The Sissu Adventure Club and Tourism Society is promoting various activities at Sissu,  which has completely changed the economy of the tribal district, particularly Lahaul.   Kaza in Spiti is already hosting the Ice Hockey Championship every winter, but a lot more is to be done to promote winter sports on PPP mode. A decision has been taken that all the religious places in the State will be provided with basic amenities to facilitate the devotees. Apart from parking places, the basic infrastructure would be strengthened in all the religious shrines.