Jose KunnappallyDehradun: Snowfall in the hills of Uttarakhand as January made way for February drew hordes of tourists to the picturesque locations across the State. A healthy increase in tourist arrivals in Mussoorie, which received the heaviest snowfall in the last five years, had tour operators and hotel owners beaming with joy. Dozens of link roads, including the Gangotri-Yamunotri highway, Dehradun-Suvakholi and Uttarkashi-Lambgaon motor roads remained closed making travel difficult. While people have started visiting Harsil, Radi and Ghati in Uttarkashi district, the impact of snowfall on tourism will be visible for a long time with adventure tourism lovers likely to make a beeline for places like Sumar, Dayara grassland, Kedarkantha, Nelang and Sukki Top for snowbiking and skiing.
Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, Uttarakhand is one of the most beautiful northern states of India. Charming hill stations juxtaposed against snow-capped peaks, quaint villages along winding mountain roads, serpentine rivers carving their way through hills, the world-renowned ‘Jim Corbett National Park’ and ‘Asan Wetland Conservation Reserve’, UNESCO® World Heritage Sites like ‘Valley of Flowers’ and ‘Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve’, waterfalls hurtling down slopes and serene lakes shimmering amidst beautiful towns, make Uttarakhand a heaven on Earth. India has 16 climatic zones and Uttarakhand has 15 of them!
The State has always been popular for religious tourism, thanks to its many Hindu pilgrimage sites. Rishikesh, a major centre for yoga study, was made famous by the Beatles’ 1968 visit. The city hosts the evening Ganga Aarti, a spiritual gathering on the sacred Ganges River. But now, a lot of tourists visit for rafting, paragliding and mountaineering. Wellness tourism is growing popular too. In Rishikesh, where the government has a land bank of 900 acres, it is planning to build an International Convention Centre.
“Tourism is the future of Uttarakhand”, says Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat. “Nearly one lakh people are being imparted training in skill development. The tourism sector has the potential to create jobs.” Nainital was established in 1881 and now it is completely saturated. Mussoorie came into being around 200 years ago and is overflowing with tourists as well. “We are now focusing on developing 13 new destinations.”
The government organised ‘Destination Uttarakhand: Investors Summit 2018’ in October with the Prime Minister in attendance. In the run-up to the mega summit, sector-specific Mini Investors Conclaves were also held. Out of the four, two conclaves specific to the tourism sector were held in Tehri and Nainital. While the Tehri conclave discussed tourism and wellness, the Nainital event deliberated on investment opportunities in film tourism which is gaining ground, from destination marketing as well as a revenue generation perspective. Around 12 big banner films have come to the State in the last two years.
An Ambassadors’ Meet was hosted in New Delhi in August to present the vast investment potential of the tourism sector in the State. The intention was to seek support to create infrastructure for adventure tourism activities and develop the destination into a hub for winter sports tourism. The government intends to seek the French government’s help to extend the ropeway at Auli to Gorson, so that visitors can get a panoramic view of the Himalayas.
About two decades after its formation, Uttarakhand finally got its Tourism Policy in September 2018 that aims to “facilitate reverse migration” to the fast emptying-out hills by promoting village-based tourism. The policy which accorded industry status to the sector, besides listing a series of benefits and exemptions for some 28 related commercial activities also aims to tap the hill State’s potential for wellness and adventure tourism.
“We have a Tourism Policy in place about 18 years after the State’s formation. It is a comprehensive strategy that aims to tap the State’s vast potential for ecotourism, wellness as well as adventure tourism,” said Satpal Maharaj, Tourism Minister, Uttarakhand.
Besides, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) is also setting up investment facilitation centres for proper co-ordination with an online single window portal.
“The mechanism will be put in place to ensure speedy clearance of projects proposed by investors; it will also ensure that investors are provided all necessary documents like licences and no-objection certificates,” added Dilip Jawalkar IAS, Secretary, Department of Tourism and CEO, UTDB.
Facilities will include capital subsidy for large, mega and ultra-mega projects that would be proposed by them for the tourism sector. Exemptions would also be granted to all three categories of the projects. Besides, large, mega and ultra-mega projects would also be entitled to 30 and 50 per cent reimbursement for State Goods and Services Tax (SGST), according to the Tourism Policy document.
The strategy also proposes to promote winter tourism and alpine tourism in the mountain State so that the seasonality in tourism is replaced with round-the-year tourism and stakeholders can be certain of a regular source of income. Promoting the State as a hub of wellness tourism is also one of the key objectives of the new Tourism Policy.
Gone are the days when Uttarakhand was known only for its religious and wildlife tourism. The government has moved ahead to promote the hill State in areas of adventure, wellness, history and heritage, and rural tourism. As per 2017 tourism statistics released, the State attracted 3,45,81,097 domestic tourists and 1,42,102 foreign visitors; Haridwar alone attracted over 2 crore travellers.
A survey report by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) outlined that 58.2 per cent foreign tourists visited the State for holiday/sightseeing, 21.9 per cent for health/yoga and about 19.4 per cent for religious reasons. The major sources of tourists are the US, Israel, Australia, Italy, Germany and Nepal. The most popular destinations for foreign tourists in Uttarakhand are Rishikesh, Haridwar, Gangotri, Uttarkashi, Kedarnath, Badrinath, Auli, Nainital and Gaumukh, according to the policy document.
Nearly 44.2 per cent Indian tourists visit the State on pilgrimages and 43.6 per cent for holiday/sightseeing. Tourist influx is prominently being reported from states/UTs like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. “We aim to set up 5000 homestays by the year 2020,” said Minister Maharaj adding that homestays would be developed around popular spots like Mahavtar Babaji’s Cave in Kanalichina in Almora, the Viceroy Trail in Chamoli, Madmaheshwar, Pancha Badri and Pancha Kedar. “The latter two are also being developed as trekking circuits where helipads would also be set up.”
Similar facilities will be provided in the proposed ‘Mahabharat circuit’ comprising areas from Vikasnagar to Pithoragarh. People here stand to gain through their business of homestays and services as tourist guides for which they will be trained. Financial assistance will be provided by the government under two prominent schemes to set up businesses, the Minister said referring to the Chandra Singh Garhwali Yojna and Gramin Prayatan Uthan Yojna.
The State is working on a plan to introduce fleets of mobile caravans equipped with all facilities. The scheme aims to attract high-end tourists to a number of scenic spots that dot the mountain State. Similarly, homestay facilities are being promoted. The twin schemes will help increase tourist arrivals. “The homestay scheme also aims to check forced migration from the hills,” the Minister said.
Each motor home would have sleeping spaces or berths, a kitchen equipped with an oven, a refrigerator and a sink. An attached toilet that can also be accessed from outside will make waste disposal easier. Separate parks are also due to be developed in hilly areas where motor homes will be stationed before and after road journeys. Such parks will also have basic facilities. “Under the homestay scheme, which aims to check forced migration from the hills, the State will provide all kinds of incentives to develop homestay facilities,” the Minister said adding that people in rural areas both in the plain and mountain districts, would be provided commercial loans instead of home loans. Conversion of agricultural land for commercial purposes has also been made compulsory to promote the homestay scheme.
13 Theme-based Tourism Spots
MUNSIYARI
Known as ‘Little Kashmir’, Munsiyari is situated in Pithoragarh, the easternmost hill district of Uttarakhand, bordering Tibet. One has a breathtaking view of the Himalayan peak, Panchchuli from here. Munsiyari is the base for trekkers to Milam, Ralam Glaciers and Nanda Devi peak. A fast developing centre for skiing and other winter sports, Munsiyari is a fairly large and developed Himalayan township at an altitude of 2298 m. Inhabited by the Shauka tribes from time immemorial, it lies on the trade route to Tibet. Situated on the banks of Goriganga River, Munsiyari also falls on the ancient ‘salt route’ from Tibet and is the entrance of the Johar valley which extends along the path of the Goriganga River to its source at Milam Glacier.
KHIRSU
Khirsu is a hill station in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. Khirsu, famous for its scenic landscape, is situated at an altitude of 1700 m. One can see a spectacular 300 km-wide panoramic view of the Himalayas, including snow-crested Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nandakot and Panchchuli peaks from here.
LOHAGHAT
Lohaghat, a scenic town in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand is still an unspoilt beauty! Once the cultural capital of the Chand dynasty, Lohaghat is fast emerging as a major tourist centre in the newly-formed district of Champawat. On the bank of river Lohawati, in Lohaghat one can go for fishing and indulge in water sports activities from here to Pancheshwar. The Sikh shrine Meetha Reetha Sahib, en route Nainital and Almora are other tourist attractions.
CHOPTA
Chopta is a small settlement located in Uttarakhand. It is popular among tourists as one can gaze in awe at the many peaks located a short distance from the valley. One can trek to the nearby region of Deoria Tal. The Deoria Tal lake is famous and surrounded entirely by forests. It lies under Chaukhamba peak and a trek to this lake will need the services of an efficient guide. You can stay near the lake for as long as you want as many tourists camp out here. The trek to the temple in Tungnath, located at an altitude of 3660 m, can be made without any guidance.
KAUSANI
A window to the snow-crested Trishul, Nanda Devi, Nandakot and Panchchuli peaks, there are very few places in the Himalayas that can be compared to Kausani for its beauty with a spectacular 300 km-wide panoramic view of the Himalayas. In 1929, Mahatma Gandhi stayed at the Anasakti Ashram here for 14 days while scripting his book titled ‘Anasakti Yoga’ and was greatly impressed by its environs.
KATARMAL
After the Sun temple of Konark, Katarmal is the second most important sun temple in India. This 800-year old temple is of archaeological and architectural importance.
TEHRI LAKE
Tourists come to New Tehri to see the Tehri Dam which is one of the world’s largest hydroelectric projects harnessing the waters of two important rivers of the Himalayas, namely Bhagirathi and Bhilangana. The lake provides a hundred opportunities for adventure lovers be it scuba diving, angling, canoeing, rowing, boating, water scooter, speed boating, rafting or kayaking.
MUKTESHWAR
Located 51 km from Nainital, this exciting place is at an altitude of 2286 m. Surrounded by fruit orchards and thick coniferous forests, the British established the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) here in 1893.
PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart 2019
Uttarakhand hosted the PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart 2019 at Rishikesh in February on the theme ‘Rejuvenate Your Soul Through Travel’, where the State showcased its huge potential in the adventure tourism sector for those associated with the trade from across the country and abroad. “Adventure travel has become one of the fastest growing tourism sectors. Tourists are also seeking to incorporate healthier activities into their travel itineraries. This year’s event examined how best to capitalise on the travel and wellness tourism industries,” said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy. The tranquil city of Rishikesh is celebrated as the `Yoga Capital of the World’. It attracts tourists from all over for its numerous adventure sports. Known as the ‘Gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas’, Rishikesh is also a designated starting point for treks to numerous Himalayan pilgrimage centres and shrines.
Rafting dilemma
UTDB formulated a set of rules approved by the cabinet following which river rafting resumed in Rishikesh from September 22, 2018. This was after the High Court’s ban on adventure sports in the State from June 18, 2018, citing the absence of laws regulating such sports. The High Court on September 12 lifted the ban after the State government presented the Uttarakhand River Rafting/Kayaking Rules, 2014 in the court. Rafting operators welcomed the regulations but said it is just the first step. “The rules say there should be a river guide but where is such a guide supposed to get qualification from? The National Institute of Water Sports in Goa is the only one available but the government has not associated with it to regularise this course,” said a rafting operator in Rishikesh.
Religious Tourism
Char Dham Yatra is considered to be one of the major attractions in Uttarakhand. Over 24 lakh pilgrims have visited the four shrines in Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath between January and September 2018. The Tourism Department is also popularising over three dozen lesser-known pilgrimage sites, including Jageshwar, Piran Kaliyar and Baijnath.
Heritage Tourism
Bageshwar district is known for the confluence of Saryu and Gomti rivers. But there’s more to this district that houses the Baghnath temple believed to have been constructed by Kumaon ruler Laxmi Chand in the 16th century. Binsar in Nainital was the summer capital of Chand Kings, the medieval Rajput clans that ruled the area around the 10th century. Plans are on to promote such places with historical significance.
Homestays
The best way to experience the famed Himalayan hospitality of Uttarakhand is through its people who follow the ancient Vedic tradition of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ or ‘Guests are God’. There are many registered homestays where one can enjoy local culture, cuisine, and discover hidden spots. Choose from ancient wooden ‘havelis’, village huts or contemporary residences. Opt from a list of homestays in different districts! When you do so, it helps boost the rural economy; sustain ecology by minimising migration and assists in conserving local culture and traditions.
