INTEGRATED APPROACH MUST TO BOOST MOUNTAIN TOURISM – JAGMOHAN

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Minister of Tourism and Culture, Shri Jagmohan has called for integrated approach for the development of mountain tourism as it would not only boost culture and tourism of the area but also pave the way for sustainable economic development. He was delivering the inaugural address at a national seminar on " India – Land of Mountains" organised by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation in collaboration with the Ministries of Environment and forests, Youth Affairs and Sports, Tourism and Culture and the Governments of Hill States here today.

Highlighting the recent initiatives by the Department of Tourism in mountain States, Shri Jagmohan said setting of Uday Shankar Academy in Almorah, improvement of ambience of many ancient monuments in Uttaranchal, creating a hub of tourism and culture in Himachal and several other tourism projects in Sikkim, Arunachal and other North-East States shows that mountain tourism is on priority in his agenda. He said there is tremendous scope of adventure, philosophical and spiritual tourism in the mountains. But without involvement of the masses it would not be possible to achieve all this, therefore, efforts have to be made for all round development of these regions and the people. He assured all possible support of Ministry of Tourism in that regard.

Reacting to the proposals made by Dr. Karan Singh in the conference, Shri Jagmohan said that setting up of Himalayan and Trans-Himalayan Authority for development of the region with the involvement of all concerned States and neighbouring countries would be given due consideration. He also agreed that Siachin could be developed into a highest altitude national park and a drive for cleaning up Himalayas with the help of all agencies should be taken up immediately to save the Himalayas.