Not to be published/broadcast  Before 9th Nov, 2009   

With a view to give boost to eco-tourism in the State, the Forest Department has formulated a comprehensive plan under which 10 proposals have been approved by it. Out of the 10 sites approved for eco-tourism, some have become operational while work is still under progress in respect of others.  Also, Expression of Interest has been invited in respect of 23 Forest Rest Houses/Inspection Huts.

The Forest Department will carry out Sites/ Temporary accommodation for 30 to 40 persons in these places. Swiss cottages (removable)/tents will be put up for the purpose. Nature trails/walks and other activities such as trekking, mountain biking, rock climbing, nature awareness including local flora & fauna, planting of trees etc. will be carried out by the Department. Sewerage and garbage disposal mechanisms will be developed.  Appropriate signage for nature awareness and maintenance of natural resources will be put up in these places. Besides eco-tourism, wildlife, natural environment would be developed in the suburbs of the rest houses for the tourists. Local communities and school children will be associated in nature awareness and plantation programmes in and around these sites. Effective fire protection and forest protection measures will be adopted as a safeguard and as well as for demonstrative effect.

A sum of Rs. 60 lakh had been allotted for the development of five eco-circuits last year.  These circuits are Dalhousie circuit (Chamba District), Triund Circuit (Kangra district), Chopal circuit (Shimla district), Dhauladhar Wild Life Sanctuary (Bir-Rajgundha circuit) and Kais Wild Life Sanctuary (Nagar-Footasurlake circuit) in Kullu district. In addition, funds have been allotted for completion of Diana Park trekking hut and Prashar Lake Forest Rest House (Mandi) and for repair of Forest Rest House at Bassi (Bilaspur). Funds have been allotted for Dharamshala (Triund) Circuit, Bir-Rajgundha Circuit (Dhauladhar Wild Life Sanctuary), Tundah-Banni Circuit, Hadsar-Kugti Circuit, Chopal Circuit, Rohru Circuit, Garkhal-Subathu Circuit, Kilba Forest Rest House and Purbani-Kanda Circuit in Kinnaur district.

A website on ecotourism has been created to facilitate the tourists. The website is (www.himachalecotourism.nic.in).  On-going and newly completed sites have been provided linkage for booking facilities. Periodic updating of the same will be an ongoing process.

Himachal Pradesh is one of the top five tourist destinations in the country.  As per estimates, roughly around 90 lakh tourists visit the State every year and enjoy its natural beauty.  Much of the tourism related activities are concentrated in four major hill stations of Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie.  The bulk of the tourists do not get an opportunity to visit countryside and dense forest areas which are indeed a nature paradise.

Himachal Pradesh Forest Department has formulated an Ecotourism Policy in 2001 when the BJP Government was in power. The policy aims to bring the wilderness and solitude of Himachal closure to the tourists visiting the State and at the same time attempts to put in place adequate safeguards and systems leading to the preservation of these resources.  The policy also envisages involving local communities with a view to help improve their prosperity through increased livelihood opportunities. The main objective of it was to decongest the overflowing city tourist destinations and bring the tourists closure to nature and ensure adequate economic returns to the State and livelihood opportunities to the local communities.

The activities of the Eco-tourism Societies (ECOSOC) are concentrated on strengthening and further development of already existing Eco-Tourism sites presently being managed by local Ecotourism Societies (ECOSOCS) under various divisions.  Local Eco-Tourism Societies are already in place in Shimla, Rohru, Chopal, Kullu, Shimla, Chamba Forest Divisions. New Societies have been created in Parvati, Banjar, Dalhousie, Bilaspur and Kinnaur forest divisions. Tenting facilities are being provided in Shimla (Potter's Hill), Kufri, Narkanda, Kullu, GHNP and Dalhousie in and around forest areas.  Adequate care is being taken about disseminating environmental awareness to the visiting tourists in these areas. Development of new sites/circuits is a priority and liaison with State Tourism Department for logistic and publicity support.

An eco-tourism project amounting to Rs. 3.68 crore has been approved by Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India earlier out of which Rs. 2.94 crores has been released to the State. Eco-tourism circuits are being created from the above funds in Kullu, Shimla, Kinnaur and Bilaspur districts. Ecotourism circuits to be created are Kothi, Kasol, Pulga, Shojha, Paneo, Takrasi and Sarahan in Kullu district, Mandi, Larot, Dodra, Kawar, Jakha and Jiskoon in Shimla district, Sholtu, Purbani, Sangla and Shongtong in Kinnaur district, Nainadevi in Bilaspur district.