The State government would prepare a comprehensive plan to develop natural and manmade water reservoirs created due to construction of power projects as major tourists' attractions. This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over a meeting regarding action plan of Tourism and Water Sports here today.The Chief Minister said that State had immense potential due to several water reservoirs constructed in different parts of the State due to power projects which would be developed as major attraction for water sports to attract tourists. He said that a committee of senior officers of Tourism, Power and Youth Services and Sports Departments would prepare an action plan and submit its report within a month to the government.Jai Ram Thakur said that possibilities would be explored to start water sports such as boating and shikaras in Chamera Water reservoir. This would ensure tourism activities and provide employment and self-employment opportunities to the local youth.
He said that Pong Dam could prove a major attraction not only for birds lovers but also the reservoir could be developed a favourite destination for water sports enthusiasts.He said that the possibilities would also be to explored to start boating and other water sports in Pandoh Dam in Mandi district. In addition, possibilities would be explored to start boating and related activities in Sundernagar lake. He said that similar efforts would be made to develop other reservoirs such as Larji and Bhakra dam from tourism point of view.Jai Ram Thakur said that Kol Dam was yet another reservoir which has the potential of water sports. He directed the officers to take up the matter with appropriate authority to get necessary clearances from appropriate authority so that water sports activities could be started at the earliest.MPP and Power Minister Anil Sharma, Chief Secretary Vineet Chawdhry, Additional Chief Secretaries Dr. Shrikant Baldi, Tarun Kapur and Ram Subhag Singh, Secretary, LAC Dr. Purnima Chauhan, Director Tourism Sudesh Mokta and other senior officers were also present on the occasion among others.