Homestay registration camp inaugurated in Lahaul

Our Correspondent
KULLU, FEBRUARY 26

Principal Secretary Tribal Development Onkar Sharma participated in ‘yor’ utsav during the snow festival in Jobrang at Lahaul and Spiti district today.

Speaking on the occasion, the Principal Secretary said the culture of Lahaul was very ancient and the ‘yor’ utsav was almost 300 years old. He said that the main objective of celebrating the snow festival was to promote winter tourism and bring rich culture of the valley to India and the world map.

The official said the snow festival was a very important initiative to promote tourism in Lahaul. “To properly exploit the immense potential of winter sports and cultural tourism, people should pay special attention to homestay scheme so that balanced and sustainable development of tourism can be ensured”, he said.

He inaugurated a three-day single window camp for homestay registration in Udaipur. He said that all facilities had been provided under one roof for homestay registration. He added that this was a very good facility under which, in a similar camp earlier in Keylong during the snow festival, more than 300 persons had registered for homestay. He added that the people will get financial benefits by registering homestays.

Sharma said that with the opening of Atal Tunnel, the possibilities of tourism in Lahaul valley had increased immensely. At present the valley has the capacity to accommodate only 3,000 tourists, whereas more than 10,000 tourists were expected to enter the valley everyday during summer. He added that the people were being motivated for homestay registration as this would provide them additional sources of income along with farming.

The Principal Secretary also emphasized on the need to generate awareness on sanitation for sustainable tourism and ensure proper execution of solid waste to conserve the pristine ecology of the region.

He also visited the Eklavya Vidyalaya in Kukumseri and inspected the hostel and educational complex. He later chaired a review meeting on tribal sub-plan with district officials in Keylong.

Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Rai welcomed the chief guest and other guests accompanying him.