The new trekking routes proposed in Pithoragarh have not been started for years. With their development, tourism will expand, local youth will get employment and the economy of the border areas is expected to get new strength.
Pithoragarh: The proposed new trekking routes in Pithoragarh, the frontier district of Uttarakhand, are still waiting to be launched. Despite planning and inspection for a long time, the construction work has not started. Local people and tourism experts believe that the development of these routes will create new employment opportunities along with tourism.
Trekking route projects stuck for years
Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand has its own identity in the country for natural beauty and adventure tourism. Every year a large number of tourists from India and abroad visit the famous trekking routes like Milam, Ralam, Panchachuli and Nanda Devi. Despite this, many new trekking routes proposed in the lower areas of the district have not yet come to fruition. There were discussions and surveys on these projects for a long time, but the construction work could not start.
It is proposed to develop trekking routes of about 10 kilometers from Lake Ghati to Chandika Temple, about 20 kilometers from Baram-Kanar to Chiplakedar and about 15 kilometers from Jarajibali to Chiplakedar in the district. The Forest Department and the District Administration have also inspected these routes from time to time, but till now no concrete action has been taken on any project.
Tourism will get new expansion
Tourism experts believe that if these trekking routes are developed then the scope of tourism in Pithoragarh will not be limited only to the high altitude Himalayan areas. With the preparation of new routes, tourists will also move to the lower valleys, due to which tourism activities in the district can increase throughout the year.
According to expert Surendra Panwar, with the start of these trekking routes, new tourist places will develop and the number of trekkers coming to the district will also increase. This will boost local businesses and strengthen the economy of the area.
Employment opportunities will open for local youth
The local youth are expected to get the biggest benefit from the proposed trekking routes. The development of these routes will create new employment opportunities in sectors like guide service, homestay, transportation, hotel business and sale of local products. Along with this, rural tourism will also get a new identity and will help in increasing the income of the surrounding villages.
Local people say that if the government gives priority to these projects then the people of Lekhghati, Baram, Kanar, Jarajibali and surrounding villages will get direct economic benefits. This can also help in reducing the problem of migration.
Waiting for government initiative
Although officials have conducted several inspections regarding the proposed trekking routes, the construction work has not started even after years. Local people and people associated with tourism business say that now only plans and meetings will not suffice, but there is a need to put the projects on the ground.
People believe that if the government and concerned departments start construction of these trekking routes in a time bound manner, then Pithoragarh can make its strong identity not only in Uttarakhand but also among the major trekking and adventure tourism destinations of the country. This will give new momentum to the tourism industry and will also provide great support to the development of marginal areas.
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