Chief Secretary Dr. Shrikant Baldi while presiding over the review meeting of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department here today said that the state government is determined to make Himachal Pradesh, a favourite tourist destination of the country for which timely completion of the tourism projects was of utmost necessity.Dr. Baldi reviewed the various proposed tourism projects in the state and said that the state has ample locations with beautiful landscapes that could be developed as tourist destinations and it was the job of the concerned departments to develop the state as a favourite list of destination of every traveller. He directed the concerned authorities of various ongoing tourism projects to get essential clearances at the earliest for timely completion of the projects.To promote the state as adventure tourism destination, Chief Secretary directed the authorities to identify feasible locations where possibilities of adventure sports such as skiing and paragliding could be explored. In order to promote eco-tourism, he directed the authorities to explore prospective for development of eco-tourism at Bulah Kataru and development of skiing point in the surrounding areas. He also directed the authorities to prepare an integrated plan to develop Chanchal as skiing destination under 'Nai Rahein Nai Manzilien' scheme. Organizing Annual Bird festival to attract tourists at the pong dam reservoir was also proposed in the meeting.
Dr. Baldi said that for ease of the developers, the ropeway guidelines have been amended. He directed the developers of the ropeways to expedite the various ropeway projects in state in time bound manner. In the meeting, it was informed that the Narkanda Ropeway project would be executed through Himachal Pradesh Ropeway Corporation through PPP or EAP, and Himachal Pradesh Infrastructure Development Board was directed to provide the feasibility report for Shikari Devi ropeway.In the meeting, it was also informed that Rs. 2.82 crore have been spent on development of various tourism projects at Nachan and Rs. 2.50 crore at Jhanjheli. For development of spiritual destination at district Mandi, he directed the authorities to start the construction of Shivdham at the identified location. While reviewing the progress work of the Bantony Castle Shimla, it was informed that the place would be developed as tourism based virtual museum. It was directed that the work of Convention Centre at Kiarighat would be expedited by Infrastructure Development Investment Project for Tourism (IDIPT-HP) and was also directed for timely completion of the same.He also directed to develop Badagraon in Manali as tourism destination by organising light and sound show, local folk cultural dance and providing local cuisine at the place. Director Tourism Department Yunus gave a detailed report on the ongoing progress of various tourism projects being implemented by the department.Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments and other senior officers and officials were also present in the meeting.