“Himachal Pradesh to Boost Tourism with Pong Dam Solar Boats and Online Portal”

“Himachal Pradesh to Boost Tourism with Pong Dam Solar Boats and Online Portal”

In a bid to enhance tourism in the Pong Dam region, the Himachal Pradesh government is set to allocate ₹24 crores under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 initiative. The initial focus includes the swift deployment of solar boats, along with the creation of an online portal for seamless information dissemination to tourists from other states. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during a virtual meeting with officials from the Ministry of Tourism on Tuesday.

Dr. Nipun Jindal, the designated officer in the Ministry, expressed the government’s commitment to implementing the Swadesh Darshan project effectively to boost tourism. He emphasized the special efforts being undertaken by the government and district administration to enhance tourism-related activities in the Pong Dam area.

The government has dedicated efforts to develop Kangra district as the tourism capital of the state, with a specific focus on the Pong Dam region. Collaborating with Vayants Solutions Private Limited, a private consultancy firm, discussions were held on various aspects of the area’s development under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 project.

Dr. Jindal shared detailed insights into the development plans for the Pong Dam region, highlighting practical suggestions for the consultants regarding the scope and feasibility of activities. Notable areas such as Nagrauta Suryan, Fatehpur, Nangal Chack, and Mathiyal in the region boast unique features, including boating, water sports, adventurous activities, bird watching, eco-tourism, and cultural and religious sites.

He stressed the need for capacity building and skill development among local youth in alignment with the developed activities in the region. Dr. Jindal urged the development of tourism-related activities in a manner that strengthens the local economy. Additional Deputy Commissioner Saurabh Jaswal and officials from the Tourism Department, including Vinay Dheeman and GM Industries Rajesh Kumar, attended the event.

Key words carried: Himachal Pradesh tourism boost, Pong Dam solar boats, Swadesh Darshan 2.0 initiative, Online portal for tourism information, Memorandum of Understanding tourism, Kangra district tourism development, Vayants Solutions collaboration, Adventure tourism in Himachal Pradesh, Eco-tourism initiatives, Local economic development through tourism.