Dehradun: Tourism Secretary Dhiraj Singh Garbyal met Governor Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh (Retd.) at the Lok Bhawan. During the meeting, he provided detailed information to the Governor regarding the tourism activities conducted in the state in the year 2026, the Chardham Yatra, and the efforts being made in the fields of winter and adventure tourism.
The Tourism Secretary shared that so far in 2026, more than 5.6 million (56 lakh) devotees have undertaken the Chardham Yatra. He also informed the Governor about the initiatives taken by the department to promote winter tourism in the state, as well as the proposed and ongoing activities in the field of adventure tourism.
The Governor said that given Uttarakhand’s geographical and natural diversity, tourism should not be limited merely to pilgrimages and religious sites, but needs to be linked to year-round activities. He emphasized that new tourism products should be developed in the state’s hilly districts tailored to local conditions, natural resources, and unique tourism potential.
The Governor directed the Tourism Department to prepare a district-wise annual calendar of adventure tourism activities. He mentioned that this calendar could include tracking, mountaineering, river rafting, paragliding, cycling, motorsports, and other adventure activities customized to the specific geographical conditions and tourism potential of each district. This would attract tourists to visit Uttarakhand throughout the year and create new employment and self-employment opportunities for local youth.
Special emphasis was placed by the Governor on making winter tourism a key pillar of Uttarakhand’s tourism economy. He stressed that unique natural and adventure activities held during the winter season should be effectively showcased to domestic and global tourists. He highlighted the need to organize events such as snow leopard sightings, the Himalayan Car Rally, and ultra-marathons on a broader scale for nature enthusiasts.
The Governor highlighted that ensuring the participation of local communities in tourism activities is vital. This will ensure that the financial benefits of tourism reach the local populace directly, allowing youth to secure employment within their own villages and regions. He also stressed connecting local culture, traditional cuisine, handicrafts, and folk traditions with tourism.
Appreciating the efforts being made by the Tourism Department, the Governor said that planned and innovation-driven measures should be taken to establish Uttarakhand as a round-the-year tourism destination.
