In order to harness untapped places of tourist interest to promote a major industry, the Himachal Pradesh government has laid emphasis on development of infrastructure, road connectivity, accommodation and basic amenities at identified places.

An official spokesman said here on Sunday that the state government’s initiative ‘Nai Raahein Nai Manjilein’ indicated that “tourism is the thrust area of the present government as it a major player in state economy.”

Rs 50 crore has been earmarked for the new scheme in the current fiscal.

The spokesman said development of parks, walking trails, hostels for trekkers, toilets, beautification of temples, wider roads, rain shelters, landscaping, road signals and traffic directions, street paths, sarais, parkings, improved solid waste management, community halls, lighting and provision of adequate number of dustbins would be done for new tourism circuits.

The government, he added, would focus on local cuisines, folk artistes, local artisans, culture, native dresses, tour guides, eco guides and adventure guides to generate more employment opportunities for people.

He said the objective of this scheme was diversification of tourism, especially to rural areas with development of infrastructure at new places with aim to provide more employment and better livelihood.

Under the new initiative, three quaint places ~ Bir Billing in Kangra, Janjehli in Mandi and Chanshal in Shimla ~ would be taken up for development. The spokesman revealed that temporary tents, promoting adventure tourism, jungle tracking paths around Janjehli, Thunag, Shikari Devi, Puda Kedar and Tungari Top would be constructed for promoting tourism activities in Janjehli. Forty new trekking routes would also be developed in Janjehli circuit to facilitate tourists. Twelve forest rest houses would also be upgraded for comfortable stay of tourists.

An amount of Rs 16.70 crore would be spent on developing the areas as places of attraction for tourists. In addition, Tourist Culture Centre has been awarded funds amounting to Rs 25.17 crore by Asian Development Bank.

Bir Billing in Kangra district would get Rs. 14.62 crore to be developed as tourist destination.

Under the “Swadesh Darshan” scheme of the Union Government, a paragliding institute shall be set up at Bir Billing at an estimated cost of Rs. 8.07 crore. Likewise, Chanshal area in Shimla district has also been included under the scheme and a provision of Rs. 15.12 crore has been made. The area has immense potential for adventure sports, skiing and camping, the official claimed.

He said the state government was encouraging home stays through private sector. Nature walks, eco trails, treks, trips to orchards and other value added attractions would be promoted in these circuits.

The state government is also committed to set up maximum number of ropeways in Himachal to facilitate tourists and local people. He said the government had decided to extend concessions to entrepreneurs who were interested in ropeway projects. Among them was waiver of annual license for first seven years.