Tourism is the main source of employment in Uttarakhand. Sitting in the lap of nature, the state is known for its beautiful litigants. The state government is also making constant efforts to promote tourism. Now, in this series, the government has taken another step forward and has started work to promote eco-tourism activities.
In Uttarakhand, which has 71.05 percent forest area, the government has taken an important initiative in the direction of creating employment opportunities from forests. As per the decision of the cabinet, revenue sharing model has been implemented with the aim of promoting eco-tourism activities and developing new places in the forest areas of the state. The government has issued its orders.
What is Revenue Sharing Model:
Under the revenue sharing model, concession has been given in the revenue share for the operation of eco-tourism activities in the forest areas under the forest panchayats and for developing new sites outside the protected areas. In the cabinet meeting held on May 18, green signal was given to the proposal to implement revenue sharing model in eco-tourism activities in the state.
20 percent of the income received will be deposited in the treasury:
Now, according to the mandate issued in this regard, 10 percent of the income received from the fees for entry fees, adventure activities, parking, camping etc. in new eco-tourism destinations in forest areas outside the protected areas and 20 percent thereafter. will be deposited in the treasury. The remaining amount will be spent by the concerned institutions on maintenance. In such places, whenever the amount remaining after the expenditure is more than five crores, then the amount above five crores will also be deposited in the revenue head. Van Panchayats will get more benefit from this model.
Policy made to develop eco tourism destination
11367 Van Panchayats have the responsibility of seven and a half thousand hectares of forests in the state. In these, the concerned organizations will retain 90 percent of the income received from the activities of eco-tourism to spend on the operation, development, maintenance, etc. of the eco-tourism site. Only 10 percent they have to deposit in the treasury.
Uttarakhand Eco Tourism along with already operational Eco Tourism Destinations:
20 percent of the income received in the activities run through the Development Corporation will be deposited in the treasury. Not only this, three awards will also be given every year to the districts for their excellent work in developing eco-tourism destination.
Target to connect one lakh persons with employment:
According to Principal Secretary Forest RK Sudhanshu, there is a target of connecting one lakh people with employment by promoting eco-tourism activities in the state. In eco-tourism, priority will be given in providing additional self-employment opportunities to the local residents. No share of revenue will be payable from the income received from hospitality and other services provided by them.
