Lesser known destinations to get a push in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand Tourism Professional Association (UTPA), an association of professionals from the tourism and associated industries in Uttarakhand, has decided to identify lesser known destinations in the state. The UTPA is planning to promote and market those lesser known destinations to take the benefits of tourism to the state’s hinterland. The association feels that it would help in arresting the migration of people from rural areas to the big cities in search of livelihood.

UTPA has recently identified a unique trekking route to ‘Ainchwa Devi’ in Tehri district of the state. Ainchwa Devi Trek is an arduous but interesting trek of around 5 km of base camp from Doni Walli Village, situated at the height of more than 10,500 km from sea level. Doni Walli is approximately 315 km from Delhi via Rishikesh-Narendra Nagar-Chamba-Barkot-Ghansali with excellent road connectivity. Around 10 active members of UTPA undertook an expedition to Ainchwa Devi from the base camp recently to familiarise with the terrain and adventure and experience involved in the activity.

“UTPA felt that a visit will definitely support the cause of promoting Doni Walli as an adventure destination and will go a long way to develop the possibilities of socio-economic benefit to locals, and to some extent arrest rising migration from that area in search of employment. Definitely, we are of the view that this project needs some investment in the beginning to initiate it in the right direction. There is every possibility that this could be marketed to high-end travellers interested in camping and a trekking. For marking success of this trek and bringing it on the tourist map of India, there is certainly a need of Heli-pad near this temple,” said Narendra Kothiyal, former Director, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, who is currently Advisor to UTPA.

Kothiyal also assured that the association will make such familiarisation trip to unknown destinations a regular feature.