Dehradun: Tourism in Uttarakhand achieves another milestone. Today, on the occasion of World Tourism Day-2024, four villages of Uttarakhand were awarded the ‘Best Tourism Village’ award in various categories in a ceremony. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar attended this programme as the Chief Guest, organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi today.
During the award distribution ceremony, Sachin Kurve, Secretary Tourism along with the Pradhans of selected villages in Uttarakhand received the Best Tourism Village Award.
Awards in adventure tourism, agriculture tourism and vibrant village category
Among these award recipient four villages, ‘Jakhol’ in Uttarkashi district was recognized as the best village in the Adventure Tourism category. ‘Supi’ in Bageshwar district received the award for Agricultural Tourism, while ‘Gunji’ in Pithoragarh district and ‘Harshil’ in Uttarkashi district were honoured in the Vibrant Village category.
Jakhol with plethora of Himalayan treks offers many adventures activities
According to a press note from the state tourism department, the village of Jakhol in Uttarkashi is excelling in adventure activities, particularly trekking, thanks to the efforts of local youth. This village serves as a starting point for several renowned treks, including the Kedarkantha Trek and the Gangotri Glacier Trek. The Forest Department and Tourism Department’s rules and regulations for these treks are strictly followed. Additionally, in an effort to protect the environment, the villagers avoid using plastic. They have also established a Waste Collection Committee, which collaborates with tourists and locals to manage waste along the trekking routes.
Tourist’s engagement in various types of agriculture-related activities in Supi
Village Supi in Bageshwar district was recognized for its efforts in promoting agriculture-related tourism. The village, situated on the banks of the Saryu River, offers seven homestays that provide excellent facilities and arrangements for tourists. Supi has developed a unique tourism business by involving visitors in various agricultural activities. Recently, the village has seen an increase in foreign tourists, drawn by Supi’s rich cultural heritage.
Harshil and Gunji in Uttarakhand are the best vibrant village
Harshil in Uttarkashi and Gunji in Pithoragarh have been honoured with the Best Vibrant Village award. Harshil is renowned for its natural beauty, snow-capped mountains, and apple orchards. The Harshil Gram Sabha promotes tourism through treks like Lamatop and Kyarakote. Under the state government’s One Village One Product scheme, the production of local woollen clothes is encouraged. Additionally, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has led to the construction of toilets at various locations. The Gram Sabha also motivates locals to create self-employment opportunities through the Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Paryatan Swarojgar Yojana and the Deendayal Upadhyaya Grah Awas Vikas Homestay Yojana.
Similarly, Gunji, a border village in Pithoragarh, serves as the starting point for journeys to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat. Various homestays are operated in Gunji under the Home Stay Scheme run by the Tourism Department.
CM Dhami and Tourism minister extended heartfelt gratitude
Expressing his happiness on this achievement, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami extended his heartfelt gratitude to the residents of all the villages and encouraged them to continue their excellent work. Tourism Minister Shri Satpal Maharaj congratulated the department for the successful implementation of its schemes and directed efforts to connect more villages with tourism employment opportunities.
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