After Jammu and Arunachal, Uttarakhand eyes tourism in border areas

The Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) has partnered with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to promote tourism in the state’s border areas by signing an MoU on Wednesday. Under the agreement ITBP’s helipads located in strategic border areas will be used to provide helicopter services to tourists visiting religious destinations that are challenging to access by road, Chief Secretary Radha Raturi said on January 1.

“This initiative is part of UTDB’s ongoing efforts to expand helicopter services in Uttarakhand’s border areas, thus encouraging tourism in these remote regions,” Raturi explained.

The agreement will allow tourists to easily reach difficult-to-access pilgrimage sites like Adi Kailash, Om Parvat, and Timmarsain Mahadev, known for their spiritual significance but located in inaccessible terrain. The government’s move to introduce helicopter services is aimed at enhancing accessibility and enriching the tourism experience.

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In addition to facilitating tourism, the helipads will serve other critical purposes, such as transporting medicines to border villages or airlifting residents during medical emergencies. ITBP personnel are stationed at forward posts in the three border districts of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Pithoragarh.

The initiative is in line with the government’s vision of developing border villages under the ‘Vibrant Village’ programme, which focuses on enhancing livelihoods and providing better opportunities for the local population, Raturi added.

Uttarakhand MP Anil Baluni on Sunday pitched for developing Auli, a popular ski resort destination in the state, as a world-class adventure tourist place.

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Baluni, who represents Garhwal in Lok Sabha, said in a social media posts that suggestion received from skiers, coaches and those connected with the occupation during his visit to Auli have given him the belief that the Himalayan site can be developed as a major adventure sport hub.

The BJP leader said he is making efforts to organise world-level competition in Auli where skiers can also be provided training. Baluni said he also wants to develop infrastructure for night skiing. Tourists can also enjoy the sport and impressive sights, he added.

He noted that Indian ski-lovers in large numbers head to Europe every year, and said a grand destination for them and tourists will be developed in Auli. The remarkable skiing slopes of the place will draw people from abroad as well, he added.