HP submits tourism projects worth Rs 26cr for Central aid

SHIMLA: Facing stiff competition from Jammu and Kashmir and Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradesh plans to strengthen and develop its tourism infrastructure, for which the government has already submitted various tourist circuit and destination projects worth Rs 26 crore to Union government, seeking financial assistance.
Nestled in the western Himalayan region, Himachal Pradesh is abundant in natural beauty in the form of snow-clad peaks, low rolling hills, valleys, rivers and lakes and has tremendous potential for various tourism activities.Tourism is a main source of income and employment generation in the state and contributes 9.75% of state gross domestic product (SGDP).
The state government is also getting financial assistance from Asian Development Bank (ADB) for strengthening tourism infrastructure. ADB has recently approved financial assistance worth US$95 million under infrastructure development investment programme for tourism (IDIPT) and in tranche-I, projects worth $33 million were approved, a senior official from tourism department said.
In a bid to develop new tourist destinations, the state government has submitted a Rs 5-crore project for integrated development of Una-Nadaun belt to the Union government for financial assistance, besides a Rs 8-crore development plan for Buddhist destinations, Rs 8 crore for Shimla and suburbs and Rs 5 crore for development of tourist transit zones, officials said.
The state will also focus on diversification of tourism to other potential areas where good infrastructure will be created. This will not only reduce pressure on existing tourist destinations, but will also offer new areas for tourists to visit, they added.