Tourism campaign launched in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat has launched a campaign to attract tourists during the winter Chardham yatra, claiming the fear of landslides and cloudbursts are relatively lower during the period.

"The tourists from across the country and abroad can benefit out of the winter season of Chardham yatra. During winters, the weather is clear and the fear of cloud burst, flood or landslides is relatively lower," Rawat told media on Tuesday.

Giving detailed information about Chardhaam yatra in the winter season, Rawat said that the yatra during winters will be more profitable and smoother.

Stating the Chardham yatra is carried out for six months between April and November, Rawat said after the completion of yatra, the portals of all the four shrines are closed. Thereafter, the idols of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines are placed at Kharsali, Mukhba, Ukhimath, and Joshimath where they are worshipped during the winter season in the temples.

The winter season of Chardhaam yatra will open up new opportunities for the tourism sector.

Along with pilgrimage, tourists can participate in adventure tourism, eco tourism and wildlife tourism. The chief minister said when there is fog and cold in winters in the plain areas, there is sunlight and clear weather in the hills. Thus, tourists will face no inconvenience of weather during winters in Uttarakhand, he said.

The CM further said owing to winters, tourism will get a boost during the off season. Taxi and other services will be made available at cheaper rates.

Besides religious tourism, other tourism activities like skiing can be enjoyed at Dyara in Uttarkashi, Auli in Chamoli and Chopta in Rudraprayag depending on the snowfall. Since majority of national parks open by November 15 every year in the state, wildlife lovers can also visit places like Corbett and Rajaji Park. In addition to this, trekking can be organised in Saat Taal Trek, Panchmukhi Mahadev in Harshil, Dugalvita-Chopta-Tungnath-Chandrasheela, Kwaripaas-Auli-Taali-Khulra and Joshimath-Kalpeshwar routes.

Apart from river rafting facility, a mountain biking competition has also been proposed.

The CM said post the disaster, the roads have been repaired and basic infrastructural facilities have been developed. Thus, the yatra could be successfully conducted. Over four lakh pilgrims visited Uttarakhand during the last yatra season. The Nanda Raaj Jaat yatra has also been successfully conducted. Several parts of the state have been connected to aerial services. Helicopter facility is available for Chardhaams. A new Himalayan Darshan scheme has also been introduced.