Rawat in favour of more sites in Haridwar to promote tourism

Uttarakhand government has decided to develop new tourist sites in Haridwar district, which was also the parliamentary constituency of new Chief Minister Harish Rawat, to promote tourism.

A directive regarding this was given by Rawat himself when he held a review meeting of the tourism department here on Monday, an official statement said.The plan includes promotion of adventure tourism like rafting in the Ganga canal between Pirankaliyar and Mohammadpur, development of a new tourist circuit comprising dargahs (sufi shrines) in the area.

Rawat said there was a large scope to promote adventure tourism in the area especially in Ganga canal which the army had been using for rafting and canoeing activities. The Chief Minister also asked the department to hold talks with the Uttar Pradesh government in order to take some of its canals on lease. The water of these canals can be used for developing an artificial lake in the area which will have the potential to become a tourist attraction.

Focusing on the mid June disaster-affected areas, Rawat said the department should help the local entrepreneurs to set up hotels, inns and restaurants along the Chardham yatra route. He said these entrepreneurs should be given two year relaxation in interest in case they take loans. He also asked the department to launch fresh campaigns across the country in order to promote tourism in the state which is recovering from the shocks of the disaster.