The central government is giving special emphasis on rural tourism and now Uttarakhand, which is important from the tourism point of view, has also taken steps in this direction. For the first time in the state, 18 villages have been selected for tourism in areas like AYUSH, wellness, agriculture, heritage.
A task force will be formed to develop them from the tourism point of view. In this, the concerned department will have the main role, while other departments will contribute as partners. Homestay initiatives will also be promoted in these villages, so that the tourists reaching there do not face any problem in staying.
Efforts are going on since the year 2022
Efforts have been going on since the year 2022 with the aim of connecting villages with tourism in the state. In this episode, steps were taken in some villages from the tourism point of view, which were also appreciated. In the year 2023, Sarmoli village of Munsyari received the Best Rural Tourism award. This year, the Central Government awarded Jakhol (Uttarkashi) in adventure tourism, Supi (Bageshwar) in agricultural tourism and Gunji and Harshil in the vibrant village category in the category of best tourist villages. Encouraged by this, the government has now selected area-wise tourist villages in the state. In these, steps like trekking routes, home stays will be taken along with promoting the respective areas. In view of all this, a task force is being formed for these selected 18 villages. For example, Ghes village is to be developed for AYUSH tourism. The AYUSH department will play the main role in the development work to be done there, while other departments will work as its partners. Officials of these departments will be included in the task force. Similar initiatives will be taken for other area-wise selected villages.
Excellent Villages Selected from Tourism Point of View
District- Village- Area
Pithoragarh- Madkot – Wellness
Pithoragarh- Gunji – Vibrant Village
Almora- Mat (Kasar Devi)- Wellness
Bageshwar – Liti – Community Based Agriculture and Adventure
Champawat- Shyamtal and Premnagar- Wellness and Agriculture Tourism
Chamoli – Ghes – Agriculture and Adventure
Chamoli- Mana – Vibrant Village and Handicrafts
Nainital – Piora – Wellness and Handicrafts
Nainital – Chhoti Haldwani (Jim Corbett Village) – Heritage
Tehri – Saur – Community Based and Adventure
Pauri – Sirsu – Adventure
Uttarkashi – Jakhol – Agriculture and Adventure
Uttarkashi – Bagori- Vibrant Village
Dehradun- Lakhamandal – Heritage, Spirituality and Wellness
Dehradun- Thano – Wellness
Rudraprayag- Ghimtoli – Spirituality and Wellness
Rudraprayag – Sari – Wellness and Adventure
