JOY ROY CHOUDHURY – Kolkata
Uttarakhand has recently submitted a proposal worth Rs 220 crore to the central government for conducting the Nanda Devi Yatra in mid 2013. Amrita Rawat, the minister for Tourism & Horticulture, Uttarakhand said: “We have submitted a Rs 220 crore proposal to the Centre for financial assistance to successfully conduct the ‘Nanda Devi Yatra’ scheduled to be held during the monsoons of 2013.” The proposed funds would be utilised for creation of tourism infrastructure in the rugged terrains through which the Yatra will proceed. The state government is planning to commemorate this event held once in 12 years in a grand way by attracting tourists from different parts of the globe and the country. She added that the new government headed by chief minister Vijay Bahuguna has put a lot of impetus on the tourism sector as it is one of the major revenue earners for the state. Adventure tourism, eco-tourism, religious tourism would be the main thrust areas of the department.
