The North News
Harsil( Uttarakhand), March 6
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for a year-round tourism strategy in Uttarakhand, emphasizing the need to eliminate the “off-season” concept in the hill state. Speaking at the Winter Tourism Program in Harsil, Modi said, “Tourism should thrive in every season. The divine aura of Devbhoomi is just as captivating in winter as it is in the summer months.”
Highlighting the state’s untapped winter potential, he pointed to trekking, skiing, and religious rituals in sacred sites like Mukhwa village. The Prime Minister said the Uttarakhand government’s focus on year-round tourism would boost local employment and benefit the youth. He flagged off a trek and bike rally and performed rituals at the winter seat of Maa Ganga in Mukhwa. Modi also expressed condolences for the lives lost in the Mana village accident, offering solidarity to affected families.
Modi underscored the Centre and state governments’ efforts to make Uttarakhand a developed state. He praised infrastructure projects like the Char Dham all-weather road and the recently approved Kedarnath and Hemkund ropeways, which will significantly reduce travel time. He announced plans to develop eco-log huts, convention centers, and helipads in new tourist destinations, including Mana and Jadung villages. The budget will support 50 tourist destinations, with hotels gaining infrastructure status to encourage local employment.
The Prime Minister highlighted the vibrant village program, promoting border areas as the “first villages” of India, and announced benefits under the Mudra Yojana for homestay developers. He advocated for “Gham Tapo Tourism,” encouraging winter visits to Uttarakhand and inviting the corporate world to host events in the state.
He called on the Indian film industry to leverage Uttarakhand’s “Most Film-Friendly State” status and proposed winter yoga retreats, wellness spas, and wildlife safaris to create a unique identity for the region.
Prime Minister Modi urged content creators to promote Uttarakhand’s winter tourism through short films and expressed confidence in the campaign’s success. The event was attended by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta, among other dignitaries.
