The state government of Himachal Pradesh is promoting eco-tourism in a big way.
An official spokesperson here said a new eco-tourism policy has been launched to develop 77 eco-tourism sites in different forest circles across the state. This is expected to generate ₹200 crore in revenue over the next five years.
The goal is to attract tourists in a manner that protects nature, creates local jobs, and supports economic growth in a clean and sustainable way.
He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the government is working to make Himachal a renowned eco-tourism destination globally.
With its snow-covered mountains, dense forests, clean rivers, and rich wildlife, Himachal Pradesh has always been a favourite destination for nature lovers.
Now, the new eco-tourism policy aims to utilise this natural beauty responsibly. Eco-tourism refers to travelling to natural areas without harming the environment.
The Eco-Tourism Policy 2024 of Himachal Pradesh has been specifically formulated to uphold this principle, ensuring the safety of both nature and tourism.
Under this policy, 77 eco-tourism sites are being developed across various parts of the state, including Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Bilaspur, Rampur, Solan, Nahan, Hamirpur, Nalagarh, Dharamshala, Palampur, Chamba, Dalhousie, Nurpur and Rekong Peo.
Of these, eco-tourism operators have already been selected for seven popular sites: Potter Hill and Shoghi in Shimla, Solang Nallah in Kullu, and Kasol in Parvati Valley.
The remaining sites are being developed in phases. Visitors will be able to enjoy eco-friendly activities such as trekking, birdwatching, forest camping, jungle walks, homestays, and nature interpretation trails.
The spokesperson said that a key part of this eco-tourism initiative is the involvement of local communities. Eco-tourism committees have been established in each forest circle to oversee these projects. Local youth are being trained as nature guides and workers.
So far, more than 70 guides and 135 Multi-Purpose Workers (MPWs) have been trained by HPECOSOC (Himachal Pradesh Eco-Tourism Society). This is creating employment opportunities while encouraging environmental stewardship.
To make travel and bookings easier for tourists, the government has made eco-tourism services available online. Over 100 forest rest houses and camping sites can now be booked through the HPECOSOC website.
A trekking management system has also been introduced. More than 245 trekking routes have been identified and listed based on difficulty levels. A mobile application is also being developed to better assist tourists.
The government has ensured that this policy aligns with national regulations under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and the amended Forest Conservation Act (Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Adhiniyam, 2023).
Eco-tourism chapters in the working plans of forest divisions such as Shimla, Palampur, Kullu, Seraj, and Mandi have already been approved.
These efforts are already yielding promising results. In 2024, more than 181.24 lakh tourists visited Himachal Pradesh, including 82,000 foreign visitors. This marks a 13.24 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
Since tourism contributes 7.78 per cent to the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), the new policy is expected to further strengthen the state's economy.
The spokesperson said that in just two and a half years, the current government has laid a strong foundation for eco-tourism.
By protecting the environment and empowering the local economy, Himachal Pradesh is setting an excellent example of how tourism and nature can coexist harmoniously. This eco-tourism initiative is a significant step towards a greener, cleaner, and more self-reliant future for the state.
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