CS conducted 1st meeting of Eco tourism development corporation

In order to generate employment opportunities for the locals and to encourage conservation of the environment, an eco tourism development corporation has been formed in the state. Chief secretary S Ramaswamy presided over the first board meeting of this corporation at the secretariaton Friday. It was decided in the board meeting that an eco-tourism development working plan will be presented within the next fifteen days. During the next six months, pilot project will be selected and infrastructural facilities will be developed.

Various aspects of eco-tourism development were discussed in detail during the meeting. It was stated that the purpose of the project is to develop basic facilities conducive to eco tourism in the state. Activities like mountaineering, Yoga, wellness camps and home-stays will be encouraged as part of the project. This will facilitate generation of employment of opportunities for the local residents. Officials further stated in the board meeting that an environment conducive to tourism in accordance with the environmental policy of the state. The potential eco-tourism destinations will be developed in a such a manner so as to attract as many of domestic and foreign tourists as possible which will also result in an increase in the state’s earnings.It was stated that through this, tourists will be introduced to the culture of Uttarakhand, its native cuisine, attire and crafts. The project also aims at raising public awareness regarding the conservation of the environment. The principal chief conservator of forests Rajendra Kumar, chief project officer of eco-tourism development, Anup Malik, tourism secretary Shailesh Bagauli and other department officials were present in the meeting.