Tourism | Uttarakhand State PSC (UKPSC): Preparation - UKPSC (Uttarakhand) PDF Download

 Page 1


Tourism
The hill districts of the state also offer a unique landscape for different types
of tourism and environment-friendly resort amenities. These districts are well
known for Hindu Pilgrimages, glaciers, trekking and expedition places. The
hill districts offer vast potential for the development of tourism as an
industry. The tourism sector contributes 13.5% of the GSDP in Uttarakhand.
The state receives approximately 30 million tourists annually. It is estimated
that about 80-85 percent of the domestic tourists came to Uttarakhand for
religious purposes because of destinations like Haridwar, Rishikesh,
Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The region offers a unique
environment for various types of pollution free and precision-based
enterprises (e.g. electronics) and services like hotels and resorts. There is vast
scope for promoting new concepts of tourism like pilgrimage tourism, health
tourism, wildlife tourism, cultural tourism and trekking, adventure sports,
river rafting, skiing, angling, aero sports and winter sports. Tourism has been
identified as one of the state’s key State Domestic Product drivers.
The Importance of Tourism in Mountain Economies
Tourism can have a wide-ranging impact on the economy and in turn
livelihoods of the population of a region, more so in rural areas. From a
livelihoods perspective, tourism can have far reaching impacts, beyond just
income generation for the local people of the tourist destinations. The
livelihood enhancing impacts of tourism need to be assessed taking into due
consideration the costs and benefits, the negative and positive impacts and
studying which of these outweighs the other. The impact of tourism on local
livelihoods goes well beyond just household wages and incomes and it is in
this context that the impact of tourism on the local economy of Uttarakhand
state is studied and understood here.
In India, tourism is one of the main drivers of growth in the mountain
economies. There are a total of 11 mountain states in India. Some examples
of such economies, which have done commendable progress in tourism are
Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir among many others.
Tourism sector in Himachal Pradesh has been given high priority and it is
Page 2


Tourism
The hill districts of the state also offer a unique landscape for different types
of tourism and environment-friendly resort amenities. These districts are well
known for Hindu Pilgrimages, glaciers, trekking and expedition places. The
hill districts offer vast potential for the development of tourism as an
industry. The tourism sector contributes 13.5% of the GSDP in Uttarakhand.
The state receives approximately 30 million tourists annually. It is estimated
that about 80-85 percent of the domestic tourists came to Uttarakhand for
religious purposes because of destinations like Haridwar, Rishikesh,
Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The region offers a unique
environment for various types of pollution free and precision-based
enterprises (e.g. electronics) and services like hotels and resorts. There is vast
scope for promoting new concepts of tourism like pilgrimage tourism, health
tourism, wildlife tourism, cultural tourism and trekking, adventure sports,
river rafting, skiing, angling, aero sports and winter sports. Tourism has been
identified as one of the state’s key State Domestic Product drivers.
The Importance of Tourism in Mountain Economies
Tourism can have a wide-ranging impact on the economy and in turn
livelihoods of the population of a region, more so in rural areas. From a
livelihoods perspective, tourism can have far reaching impacts, beyond just
income generation for the local people of the tourist destinations. The
livelihood enhancing impacts of tourism need to be assessed taking into due
consideration the costs and benefits, the negative and positive impacts and
studying which of these outweighs the other. The impact of tourism on local
livelihoods goes well beyond just household wages and incomes and it is in
this context that the impact of tourism on the local economy of Uttarakhand
state is studied and understood here.
In India, tourism is one of the main drivers of growth in the mountain
economies. There are a total of 11 mountain states in India. Some examples
of such economies, which have done commendable progress in tourism are
Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir among many others.
Tourism sector in Himachal Pradesh has been given high priority and it is
being realised as a major engine of growth for future. The contribution of
tourism sector to state GDP is 7%.
Tourism in Sikkim has emerged as the new profession of the Sikkimese
people with its vast natural potential. Promotion of village tourism, homestay,
cultural tourism, trekking tourism, ecotourism, wellness tourism, flori–
tourism and adventure tourism has given fillip to the tourism trade in the state
where a large of number of people are engaged under different employment
opportunities. In Jammu & Kashmir, tourism is the backbone of the
economy. Tourism sector accounts for around 6.98% of State’s GDP.
‘Dev Bhoomi’ Uttarakhand since ancient times has been a tourist attraction
for international as well as domestic tourists. World famous chardham – Shri
Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri; Hemkund; Lokpal;
Nanakmatta; Meetha-Reetha sahib and Piran Kaliyar are the tourist
attractions for pilgrimage tourism. Apart from pilgrimage, the state spawns
vast variety of flora and fauna and along with Corbett and Rajaji National
Park, it is nature lover’s paradise. Nainital and Mussoorie are hill station
attractions of the state.
Tourism has been one of the main sources of employment generation, with
the sector estimated to generate 90 jobs per Rs. 10 lakhs of investment.
Though there is no separate account of tourism’s share in GSDP in Economic
Survey 2017-18 of Uttarakhand, tourism including trade, hotel and
restaurants form 13.57% share of GSDP. The number of tourists arrival has
been steadily rising year by year from 117.08 lakh in 2002 to 347.23 lakh in
2017, except for 2011 and 2013. The budget outlay for tourism department
has gradually declined from 0.67% of GSDP in 2004-05 to 0.28% of GSDP
in 2017-18. Government of India has allocated Rs. 8037.34 crores for
development of Tehri Lake and nearby area under ‘Swadesh Darshan’
scheme. Tourism department is encouraging Public Private Partnership (PPP)
mode of investment for construction of ropeway from Kaddukhal to
Surkunda devi, Thuligad to Purnagiri, Janki chatti to Yamunotri and
Ghangariya to Hemkund sahib. The private investors have been shortlisted
for the projects. The state is heavily investing on hotel, restaurants,
amusement parks, spas and ropeways to open up opportunities for tourism.
Existing Types of Tourism
1. Pilgrimage Tourism- Uttarakhand has many religious sites. The char
Page 3


Tourism
The hill districts of the state also offer a unique landscape for different types
of tourism and environment-friendly resort amenities. These districts are well
known for Hindu Pilgrimages, glaciers, trekking and expedition places. The
hill districts offer vast potential for the development of tourism as an
industry. The tourism sector contributes 13.5% of the GSDP in Uttarakhand.
The state receives approximately 30 million tourists annually. It is estimated
that about 80-85 percent of the domestic tourists came to Uttarakhand for
religious purposes because of destinations like Haridwar, Rishikesh,
Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The region offers a unique
environment for various types of pollution free and precision-based
enterprises (e.g. electronics) and services like hotels and resorts. There is vast
scope for promoting new concepts of tourism like pilgrimage tourism, health
tourism, wildlife tourism, cultural tourism and trekking, adventure sports,
river rafting, skiing, angling, aero sports and winter sports. Tourism has been
identified as one of the state’s key State Domestic Product drivers.
The Importance of Tourism in Mountain Economies
Tourism can have a wide-ranging impact on the economy and in turn
livelihoods of the population of a region, more so in rural areas. From a
livelihoods perspective, tourism can have far reaching impacts, beyond just
income generation for the local people of the tourist destinations. The
livelihood enhancing impacts of tourism need to be assessed taking into due
consideration the costs and benefits, the negative and positive impacts and
studying which of these outweighs the other. The impact of tourism on local
livelihoods goes well beyond just household wages and incomes and it is in
this context that the impact of tourism on the local economy of Uttarakhand
state is studied and understood here.
In India, tourism is one of the main drivers of growth in the mountain
economies. There are a total of 11 mountain states in India. Some examples
of such economies, which have done commendable progress in tourism are
Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir among many others.
Tourism sector in Himachal Pradesh has been given high priority and it is
being realised as a major engine of growth for future. The contribution of
tourism sector to state GDP is 7%.
Tourism in Sikkim has emerged as the new profession of the Sikkimese
people with its vast natural potential. Promotion of village tourism, homestay,
cultural tourism, trekking tourism, ecotourism, wellness tourism, flori–
tourism and adventure tourism has given fillip to the tourism trade in the state
where a large of number of people are engaged under different employment
opportunities. In Jammu & Kashmir, tourism is the backbone of the
economy. Tourism sector accounts for around 6.98% of State’s GDP.
‘Dev Bhoomi’ Uttarakhand since ancient times has been a tourist attraction
for international as well as domestic tourists. World famous chardham – Shri
Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri; Hemkund; Lokpal;
Nanakmatta; Meetha-Reetha sahib and Piran Kaliyar are the tourist
attractions for pilgrimage tourism. Apart from pilgrimage, the state spawns
vast variety of flora and fauna and along with Corbett and Rajaji National
Park, it is nature lover’s paradise. Nainital and Mussoorie are hill station
attractions of the state.
Tourism has been one of the main sources of employment generation, with
the sector estimated to generate 90 jobs per Rs. 10 lakhs of investment.
Though there is no separate account of tourism’s share in GSDP in Economic
Survey 2017-18 of Uttarakhand, tourism including trade, hotel and
restaurants form 13.57% share of GSDP. The number of tourists arrival has
been steadily rising year by year from 117.08 lakh in 2002 to 347.23 lakh in
2017, except for 2011 and 2013. The budget outlay for tourism department
has gradually declined from 0.67% of GSDP in 2004-05 to 0.28% of GSDP
in 2017-18. Government of India has allocated Rs. 8037.34 crores for
development of Tehri Lake and nearby area under ‘Swadesh Darshan’
scheme. Tourism department is encouraging Public Private Partnership (PPP)
mode of investment for construction of ropeway from Kaddukhal to
Surkunda devi, Thuligad to Purnagiri, Janki chatti to Yamunotri and
Ghangariya to Hemkund sahib. The private investors have been shortlisted
for the projects. The state is heavily investing on hotel, restaurants,
amusement parks, spas and ropeways to open up opportunities for tourism.
Existing Types of Tourism
1. Pilgrimage Tourism- Uttarakhand has many religious sites. The char
dham – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedharnath has huge number
of tourists pouring in for pilgrimage every year. Haridwar, literally
translated as Gateway to God, is one of the seven holiest places for Hindus,
located on the banks of River Ganges. It serves as a gateway to the Char
Dham. The other famous places of pilgrimage include Hemkund sahib,
Meetha reetha sahib, Nanak Matta and Piran Kaliyar sharif. Apart from
these famous holy places, there are not so much known places such as
Tarkeshwar Mahadev temple, Bhavishya Badri temple, Tugnath, Gaumakh,
Binsar mahadev, Rudranath, Kalpeshwar temple, Pandukeshwar, Vishnu
prayag, Jageshwar Dham, Bhadraj Temple, Dhanaulti, Lakhamandal,
Bagnath Temple, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Baijnath, Kunjapuri Devi,
Chandrashila and Triyuginarayan temple. There is some mythological
aspect connected to these places and tourism at such places could be
explored by improving access to such places by better road infrastructure
and bus connectivity.
Promotion of Adventure Sports
In a step to promote adventure sports in the State, Union Ministry of
Home affairs in August, 2019 opened 51 mountain peaks of Uttarakhand
for mountaineering activity. With this foreign mountaineers will not be
bound to take mountain visa, for mountaineering activities in these peaks,
rather it will be sufficient to take permission from local administration.
Before this only few mountains like Kamet were open for mountaineering.
These new peaks include- Bhrigupant, Bhriguparvat, Kalidhang, Yambuk,
Ratangariya, Chhirbaparvat, Mahalay Parbat, Rudragaira, Balkun,
Bandarpunch West, Bevtarholi, Bevtarholi South, Bhaganyu, Garur, Garur
Parvat, Kalanka, Parvati Parvat, Pavagarh, East Dunagiri, Ridhi Pahar,
Narayan Parvat, Nar Parvat, Kala Nag Parvat, Dangthal, Devisthan 1 and
2, Devtoli, Dunagiri, Hardiyol, Janukot, Kirtistambh, Lamchir, Lamchir
South, Lampak South, Manda 1, 2 and 3, Nanda Bhanar, Nanda Khani,
Nanda Lapak, Panchachuli 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Rishikot, SAF Minal,
Avalanch, Shrikanth and Sumeru.
 
Page 4


Tourism
The hill districts of the state also offer a unique landscape for different types
of tourism and environment-friendly resort amenities. These districts are well
known for Hindu Pilgrimages, glaciers, trekking and expedition places. The
hill districts offer vast potential for the development of tourism as an
industry. The tourism sector contributes 13.5% of the GSDP in Uttarakhand.
The state receives approximately 30 million tourists annually. It is estimated
that about 80-85 percent of the domestic tourists came to Uttarakhand for
religious purposes because of destinations like Haridwar, Rishikesh,
Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The region offers a unique
environment for various types of pollution free and precision-based
enterprises (e.g. electronics) and services like hotels and resorts. There is vast
scope for promoting new concepts of tourism like pilgrimage tourism, health
tourism, wildlife tourism, cultural tourism and trekking, adventure sports,
river rafting, skiing, angling, aero sports and winter sports. Tourism has been
identified as one of the state’s key State Domestic Product drivers.
The Importance of Tourism in Mountain Economies
Tourism can have a wide-ranging impact on the economy and in turn
livelihoods of the population of a region, more so in rural areas. From a
livelihoods perspective, tourism can have far reaching impacts, beyond just
income generation for the local people of the tourist destinations. The
livelihood enhancing impacts of tourism need to be assessed taking into due
consideration the costs and benefits, the negative and positive impacts and
studying which of these outweighs the other. The impact of tourism on local
livelihoods goes well beyond just household wages and incomes and it is in
this context that the impact of tourism on the local economy of Uttarakhand
state is studied and understood here.
In India, tourism is one of the main drivers of growth in the mountain
economies. There are a total of 11 mountain states in India. Some examples
of such economies, which have done commendable progress in tourism are
Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir among many others.
Tourism sector in Himachal Pradesh has been given high priority and it is
being realised as a major engine of growth for future. The contribution of
tourism sector to state GDP is 7%.
Tourism in Sikkim has emerged as the new profession of the Sikkimese
people with its vast natural potential. Promotion of village tourism, homestay,
cultural tourism, trekking tourism, ecotourism, wellness tourism, flori–
tourism and adventure tourism has given fillip to the tourism trade in the state
where a large of number of people are engaged under different employment
opportunities. In Jammu & Kashmir, tourism is the backbone of the
economy. Tourism sector accounts for around 6.98% of State’s GDP.
‘Dev Bhoomi’ Uttarakhand since ancient times has been a tourist attraction
for international as well as domestic tourists. World famous chardham – Shri
Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri; Hemkund; Lokpal;
Nanakmatta; Meetha-Reetha sahib and Piran Kaliyar are the tourist
attractions for pilgrimage tourism. Apart from pilgrimage, the state spawns
vast variety of flora and fauna and along with Corbett and Rajaji National
Park, it is nature lover’s paradise. Nainital and Mussoorie are hill station
attractions of the state.
Tourism has been one of the main sources of employment generation, with
the sector estimated to generate 90 jobs per Rs. 10 lakhs of investment.
Though there is no separate account of tourism’s share in GSDP in Economic
Survey 2017-18 of Uttarakhand, tourism including trade, hotel and
restaurants form 13.57% share of GSDP. The number of tourists arrival has
been steadily rising year by year from 117.08 lakh in 2002 to 347.23 lakh in
2017, except for 2011 and 2013. The budget outlay for tourism department
has gradually declined from 0.67% of GSDP in 2004-05 to 0.28% of GSDP
in 2017-18. Government of India has allocated Rs. 8037.34 crores for
development of Tehri Lake and nearby area under ‘Swadesh Darshan’
scheme. Tourism department is encouraging Public Private Partnership (PPP)
mode of investment for construction of ropeway from Kaddukhal to
Surkunda devi, Thuligad to Purnagiri, Janki chatti to Yamunotri and
Ghangariya to Hemkund sahib. The private investors have been shortlisted
for the projects. The state is heavily investing on hotel, restaurants,
amusement parks, spas and ropeways to open up opportunities for tourism.
Existing Types of Tourism
1. Pilgrimage Tourism- Uttarakhand has many religious sites. The char
dham – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedharnath has huge number
of tourists pouring in for pilgrimage every year. Haridwar, literally
translated as Gateway to God, is one of the seven holiest places for Hindus,
located on the banks of River Ganges. It serves as a gateway to the Char
Dham. The other famous places of pilgrimage include Hemkund sahib,
Meetha reetha sahib, Nanak Matta and Piran Kaliyar sharif. Apart from
these famous holy places, there are not so much known places such as
Tarkeshwar Mahadev temple, Bhavishya Badri temple, Tugnath, Gaumakh,
Binsar mahadev, Rudranath, Kalpeshwar temple, Pandukeshwar, Vishnu
prayag, Jageshwar Dham, Bhadraj Temple, Dhanaulti, Lakhamandal,
Bagnath Temple, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Baijnath, Kunjapuri Devi,
Chandrashila and Triyuginarayan temple. There is some mythological
aspect connected to these places and tourism at such places could be
explored by improving access to such places by better road infrastructure
and bus connectivity.
Promotion of Adventure Sports
In a step to promote adventure sports in the State, Union Ministry of
Home affairs in August, 2019 opened 51 mountain peaks of Uttarakhand
for mountaineering activity. With this foreign mountaineers will not be
bound to take mountain visa, for mountaineering activities in these peaks,
rather it will be sufficient to take permission from local administration.
Before this only few mountains like Kamet were open for mountaineering.
These new peaks include- Bhrigupant, Bhriguparvat, Kalidhang, Yambuk,
Ratangariya, Chhirbaparvat, Mahalay Parbat, Rudragaira, Balkun,
Bandarpunch West, Bevtarholi, Bevtarholi South, Bhaganyu, Garur, Garur
Parvat, Kalanka, Parvati Parvat, Pavagarh, East Dunagiri, Ridhi Pahar,
Narayan Parvat, Nar Parvat, Kala Nag Parvat, Dangthal, Devisthan 1 and
2, Devtoli, Dunagiri, Hardiyol, Janukot, Kirtistambh, Lamchir, Lamchir
South, Lampak South, Manda 1, 2 and 3, Nanda Bhanar, Nanda Khani,
Nanda Lapak, Panchachuli 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Rishikot, SAF Minal,
Avalanch, Shrikanth and Sumeru.
 
2. Adventure Tourism- Uttarakhand is a haven for adventure and allied
sports like river rafting, mountaineering activities like rock climbing and
trekking, aero sports like paragliding and bungee jumping, game fishing
etc. Private sector partnership is being encouraged by the state to develop
adventure tourism.
3. River rafting- River rafting has emerged as one of the major tourism
activity in the state. The state has ‘Uttarakhand River Rafting / Kayaking
(Amendment) Rules 2016’, the aspects of which are explained below-
 Ganga, Kali, Tons, Yamuna, Alaknanda, Gori, Saryu, Bhagirathi, Pinder,
Kosi and Ramganga are the rivers on which license permits for rafting
and kayaking are issued.
 Applicants are granted permit for a maximum of five years.
 A technical committee constituted by the department shall examine all
rafting/rescue equipment and guides for security and rescue.
 Operators who seek permit for more than 5 rafts will be levied double
fees and a maximum permit for 10 rafts can be granted.
 New applicants shall be granted priority rather than those seeking
permission for increasing the number of rafts.
 Penalty as per rules will be recovered from a person operating without
permit.
As per the rules of 2016. River refting is allowed in stretches of river
Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Ganga, Kali, Yamuna, Gori, pindar, Saryu, Tons,
Ramganga East and West for 304/303 days a year. In Kumeriya to
Ramhganga stretch of Kosi and Vridhkedar to Bhikiyasen stretch of West
Ramaganga it is allowed 366/365 days a year. The increase in season length
will lead to more gross revenue earned by river rafting.
4. Mountaineering/ Trekking- Uttarakhand is home to Nanda Devi, the
second tallest peak in India, as well as many other 7000 m plus peaks,
which makes it a paradise for trekkers. The best trekking season is between
April and early June and then again during October and November. The
best treks in the region are Gangotri glacier trek, Deorital and Chandershila
trek, Valleys of flower, Roopkund trek, Rupin Pass, Pindari glacier and
Dodital trek.
The state has existing rules under ‘Adventure and Mountaineering –
Guidelines for Mountaineering Expeditions in Uttarakhand’. Some salient
aspects of the guidelines are:
Page 5


Tourism
The hill districts of the state also offer a unique landscape for different types
of tourism and environment-friendly resort amenities. These districts are well
known for Hindu Pilgrimages, glaciers, trekking and expedition places. The
hill districts offer vast potential for the development of tourism as an
industry. The tourism sector contributes 13.5% of the GSDP in Uttarakhand.
The state receives approximately 30 million tourists annually. It is estimated
that about 80-85 percent of the domestic tourists came to Uttarakhand for
religious purposes because of destinations like Haridwar, Rishikesh,
Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The region offers a unique
environment for various types of pollution free and precision-based
enterprises (e.g. electronics) and services like hotels and resorts. There is vast
scope for promoting new concepts of tourism like pilgrimage tourism, health
tourism, wildlife tourism, cultural tourism and trekking, adventure sports,
river rafting, skiing, angling, aero sports and winter sports. Tourism has been
identified as one of the state’s key State Domestic Product drivers.
The Importance of Tourism in Mountain Economies
Tourism can have a wide-ranging impact on the economy and in turn
livelihoods of the population of a region, more so in rural areas. From a
livelihoods perspective, tourism can have far reaching impacts, beyond just
income generation for the local people of the tourist destinations. The
livelihood enhancing impacts of tourism need to be assessed taking into due
consideration the costs and benefits, the negative and positive impacts and
studying which of these outweighs the other. The impact of tourism on local
livelihoods goes well beyond just household wages and incomes and it is in
this context that the impact of tourism on the local economy of Uttarakhand
state is studied and understood here.
In India, tourism is one of the main drivers of growth in the mountain
economies. There are a total of 11 mountain states in India. Some examples
of such economies, which have done commendable progress in tourism are
Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir among many others.
Tourism sector in Himachal Pradesh has been given high priority and it is
being realised as a major engine of growth for future. The contribution of
tourism sector to state GDP is 7%.
Tourism in Sikkim has emerged as the new profession of the Sikkimese
people with its vast natural potential. Promotion of village tourism, homestay,
cultural tourism, trekking tourism, ecotourism, wellness tourism, flori–
tourism and adventure tourism has given fillip to the tourism trade in the state
where a large of number of people are engaged under different employment
opportunities. In Jammu & Kashmir, tourism is the backbone of the
economy. Tourism sector accounts for around 6.98% of State’s GDP.
‘Dev Bhoomi’ Uttarakhand since ancient times has been a tourist attraction
for international as well as domestic tourists. World famous chardham – Shri
Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri; Hemkund; Lokpal;
Nanakmatta; Meetha-Reetha sahib and Piran Kaliyar are the tourist
attractions for pilgrimage tourism. Apart from pilgrimage, the state spawns
vast variety of flora and fauna and along with Corbett and Rajaji National
Park, it is nature lover’s paradise. Nainital and Mussoorie are hill station
attractions of the state.
Tourism has been one of the main sources of employment generation, with
the sector estimated to generate 90 jobs per Rs. 10 lakhs of investment.
Though there is no separate account of tourism’s share in GSDP in Economic
Survey 2017-18 of Uttarakhand, tourism including trade, hotel and
restaurants form 13.57% share of GSDP. The number of tourists arrival has
been steadily rising year by year from 117.08 lakh in 2002 to 347.23 lakh in
2017, except for 2011 and 2013. The budget outlay for tourism department
has gradually declined from 0.67% of GSDP in 2004-05 to 0.28% of GSDP
in 2017-18. Government of India has allocated Rs. 8037.34 crores for
development of Tehri Lake and nearby area under ‘Swadesh Darshan’
scheme. Tourism department is encouraging Public Private Partnership (PPP)
mode of investment for construction of ropeway from Kaddukhal to
Surkunda devi, Thuligad to Purnagiri, Janki chatti to Yamunotri and
Ghangariya to Hemkund sahib. The private investors have been shortlisted
for the projects. The state is heavily investing on hotel, restaurants,
amusement parks, spas and ropeways to open up opportunities for tourism.
Existing Types of Tourism
1. Pilgrimage Tourism- Uttarakhand has many religious sites. The char
dham – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedharnath has huge number
of tourists pouring in for pilgrimage every year. Haridwar, literally
translated as Gateway to God, is one of the seven holiest places for Hindus,
located on the banks of River Ganges. It serves as a gateway to the Char
Dham. The other famous places of pilgrimage include Hemkund sahib,
Meetha reetha sahib, Nanak Matta and Piran Kaliyar sharif. Apart from
these famous holy places, there are not so much known places such as
Tarkeshwar Mahadev temple, Bhavishya Badri temple, Tugnath, Gaumakh,
Binsar mahadev, Rudranath, Kalpeshwar temple, Pandukeshwar, Vishnu
prayag, Jageshwar Dham, Bhadraj Temple, Dhanaulti, Lakhamandal,
Bagnath Temple, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Baijnath, Kunjapuri Devi,
Chandrashila and Triyuginarayan temple. There is some mythological
aspect connected to these places and tourism at such places could be
explored by improving access to such places by better road infrastructure
and bus connectivity.
Promotion of Adventure Sports
In a step to promote adventure sports in the State, Union Ministry of
Home affairs in August, 2019 opened 51 mountain peaks of Uttarakhand
for mountaineering activity. With this foreign mountaineers will not be
bound to take mountain visa, for mountaineering activities in these peaks,
rather it will be sufficient to take permission from local administration.
Before this only few mountains like Kamet were open for mountaineering.
These new peaks include- Bhrigupant, Bhriguparvat, Kalidhang, Yambuk,
Ratangariya, Chhirbaparvat, Mahalay Parbat, Rudragaira, Balkun,
Bandarpunch West, Bevtarholi, Bevtarholi South, Bhaganyu, Garur, Garur
Parvat, Kalanka, Parvati Parvat, Pavagarh, East Dunagiri, Ridhi Pahar,
Narayan Parvat, Nar Parvat, Kala Nag Parvat, Dangthal, Devisthan 1 and
2, Devtoli, Dunagiri, Hardiyol, Janukot, Kirtistambh, Lamchir, Lamchir
South, Lampak South, Manda 1, 2 and 3, Nanda Bhanar, Nanda Khani,
Nanda Lapak, Panchachuli 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Rishikot, SAF Minal,
Avalanch, Shrikanth and Sumeru.
 
2. Adventure Tourism- Uttarakhand is a haven for adventure and allied
sports like river rafting, mountaineering activities like rock climbing and
trekking, aero sports like paragliding and bungee jumping, game fishing
etc. Private sector partnership is being encouraged by the state to develop
adventure tourism.
3. River rafting- River rafting has emerged as one of the major tourism
activity in the state. The state has ‘Uttarakhand River Rafting / Kayaking
(Amendment) Rules 2016’, the aspects of which are explained below-
 Ganga, Kali, Tons, Yamuna, Alaknanda, Gori, Saryu, Bhagirathi, Pinder,
Kosi and Ramganga are the rivers on which license permits for rafting
and kayaking are issued.
 Applicants are granted permit for a maximum of five years.
 A technical committee constituted by the department shall examine all
rafting/rescue equipment and guides for security and rescue.
 Operators who seek permit for more than 5 rafts will be levied double
fees and a maximum permit for 10 rafts can be granted.
 New applicants shall be granted priority rather than those seeking
permission for increasing the number of rafts.
 Penalty as per rules will be recovered from a person operating without
permit.
As per the rules of 2016. River refting is allowed in stretches of river
Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Ganga, Kali, Yamuna, Gori, pindar, Saryu, Tons,
Ramganga East and West for 304/303 days a year. In Kumeriya to
Ramhganga stretch of Kosi and Vridhkedar to Bhikiyasen stretch of West
Ramaganga it is allowed 366/365 days a year. The increase in season length
will lead to more gross revenue earned by river rafting.
4. Mountaineering/ Trekking- Uttarakhand is home to Nanda Devi, the
second tallest peak in India, as well as many other 7000 m plus peaks,
which makes it a paradise for trekkers. The best trekking season is between
April and early June and then again during October and November. The
best treks in the region are Gangotri glacier trek, Deorital and Chandershila
trek, Valleys of flower, Roopkund trek, Rupin Pass, Pindari glacier and
Dodital trek.
The state has existing rules under ‘Adventure and Mountaineering –
Guidelines for Mountaineering Expeditions in Uttarakhand’. Some salient
aspects of the guidelines are:
 The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) will be the nodal
agency to promote mountaineering and allied activities in the various
mountaineering destinations of Uttarakhand.
 Scaling of peaks that are located within Nanda Devi National Park, or
which require access through the National Park is not allowed.
 Any proposal by foreign/Indian nationals to undertake mountaineering
expeditions in Uttarakhand, must be submitted to the Indian
Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) at Delhi. The terms and conditions for
the expedition are same for foreign nationals, except for fee and security
deposit structure.
 IMF shall refer an application to the State Government on behalf of the
expedition team at least four weeks before the proposed commencement
of the expedition. Proposals sent directly to the state will not be
entertained.
5. Aero Sports/Paragliding- Paragliding and aerosports has come up at
many locations like Bhimtal, Naukuchiyatal, New Tehri in the state.
‘Uttarakhand Foot Launch Aero sport Rules 2017’ has specific rules
framed for aero sports, which are summarised below:
 Any applicant who wishing to participate in commercial paragliding
activities will apply for permit to the District Tourism Development
Officer (D.T.D.O.) of the concerning district • Activities which are
covered under commercial paragliding include Tandem paragliding only.
 The concern D.T.D.O. shall scrutinize these applications initially and put
up the same before the Technical Committee, which shall fix date time &
venue for the scrutiny / inspection of the documents, equipments
conducting practical / physical tests & guides before 16
th
 of August each
year. On approval of the applicants application, he will be issued operator
permit.
 Initial operator permit will be issued for a period of 5 years.
 Activities which are covered under non-commercial paragliding include
 Solo paragliding / visiting solo pilots
 Tandem non-commercial paragliding
 Participation in paragliding competitions
 Training for paragliding
Though the rules take in consideration the safety aspects, there is no
provision of incentives for aero sports. Such initiatives should be taken to