State Government would be spending Rs. 10 crore on various tourism promotion, creation of infrastructural and basic amenities in district Mandi with a view to add new off beat destinations to the tourist map of the State. This was stated by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, in a meeting here last evening.
Chief Minister said that Mandi district had vast potential for exploitation from tourism point of view and a number of initiatives had been taken in this direction. He said that with the exploration of new destinations in the district tourism promotion activities would get boosted up. He said that Jogindernagar-Bir Billing area of the district was being developed to facilitate the organization of para-gliding activities, basic amenities. He said that parking slots were being developed in Jogindernagar, Ghatasani and Barot areas while camping sites and view points being developed at Dhelu, Harabag, Jhatingri and Shanan area to re-energise the visitors with scenic beauty surrounding the areas. He said that to attract adventure lovers trek routes had been identified at Jogindernagar-Winchcamp-Barot-Baragaon-Rajgundha-Billing-Bir and refurbishment of Baba Balakrupi and Laxmi Narayan temple was also being carried. He said that a tourist information centre would also be coming up in Jogindernagar to provide tourism related information to the visitors.
Prof. Dhumal said that sacred lakes of Parashar and Rewalsar were also being beautified by protecting its natural grandeur besides creating wayside amenities at different points enroute and wayside parks and parking slots developed in the area. He said that tourist information centres were also being set up at Mandi and Sundernagar. He said that further beautification of the Sunken Garden at Mandi would be carried besides providing a solid waste management to the visitors and local residents of historic town of Mandi. He said that in Karsog area of district Mandi Shikari Devi, Mahu Nag, Chindi, Kamaksha, Jalpa Mata temples and Dev Mandir of Sarkaghat and Balakrupi temple at Sandhol would be developed to give boost to religious tourism in the district besides developing Chindi and Janjehali area to facilitate the visitors with all basic amenities. He said that historic Kamlah Fort in Dharampur area of Sarkaghat sub-division of the district had also been targeted to be developed. He said that wayside amenities would be constructed at different points consisting of reception centres, souvenir shops, café, toilets, cloak rooms and parking etc. He said that soon Mandi district would emerge a prominent tourist destination in the State.
Dr. Arun Sharma, Director of Tourism and Civil Aviation, apprised the Chief Minister that maximum number of off beat destinations were being explored, developed and opened for tourists so that they could enjoy their holidays in close proximity with the nature.