Eco-friendly tourism a key driver for sustainable development: Sukhu

Shimla: To provide tourists with closer experiences of the wilderness and virgin ecosystems, the Himachal Pradesh govt was taking proactive measures to promote eco-tourism while also ensuring the conservation of natural resources, chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Wednesday.The CM said the initiative would also involve the local community, create livelihood opportunities and raise awareness about the conservation and protection of the ecosystem. “Tourism in the state is flourishing, with around two crore visitors drawn annually to our majestic mountains, breathtaking landscapes, rivers and numerous trekking opportunities,” said the CM, adding that eco-friendly tourism is a key driver for sustainable development and environment conservation.Sukhu said the state govt has given its nod to align with the recent amendments in the Forest Conservation Act, 2023, which will support eco-tourism in a sustainable manner. The eco-tourism policy, initially established in 2017, has been revised to align with these goals and the revised policy encourages community-based eco-tourism models that promote various activities, maximising community benefits and promoting sustainable practices, added Sukhu.Emphasising the state govt’s commitment to fostering its growth while preserving environmental integrity, the CM said the primary objective of the govt’s initiatives is to boost the state’s economy by preserving the forest resources, creating new employment opportunities for the local community and encouraging eco-friendly tourism. Eco-tourism offerings include trekking, camping, bird watching and adventure sports, with new eco-tourism sites and trekking routes being approved to cater the tourists’ preferences and safety, he said. To ensure consistent development, the Himachal govt is also centralising the coordination of eco-tourism activities across the state to ensure synergy and uniformity, he added.

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