Four Uttarakhand villages to get award on International Tourism Day

"The campaign to make Uttarakhand a tourist state is paying off. For promoting rural tourism, four villages of the state will be awarded the Best Tourism Village Award on International Tourism Day," the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said in a release.

The villages of Jakhol in Uttarkashi, Harshil in Uttarkashi, Seemant Gunji in Pithoragarh and Soupi in Nainital will be awarded the title during the distribution ceremony in New Delhi.

"Jakhol village of Uttarkashi district has been selected for adventure tourism; Harshil village for Vibrant Village, Seemant Gunji village of Pithoragarh district for Vibrant Village; and Soupi village of Nainital district for agricultural tourism," read the statement by the CMO.

The best tourism village competition is organised every year by the Tourism Ministry, with the aim of highlighting places that commit to conserve culture and natural wealth, promote community based values and lifestyle, and also promote economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also appreciated the efforts of the villagers to obtain the award and congratulated them.

"The general public has an important role in the development of tourism in the state. The state government is making every effort to establish Uttarakhand as a tourist state, many schemes have been implemented for this, but this goal can be achieved only with the cooperation of the God-like people of the state," added the CM.

Uttarakhand offers a range of tourist activities. Popularly also known as Devbhoomi, or the land of gods, the state is framed by the Himalayas and divided into two main regions, Garhwal and Kumaon.

The government of Uttarakhand has been working to develop tourism in the region by implementing various schemes and policies.

Last year, Biswanath Ghat of Sonitpur district in Assam was selected as the Best Tourism Village of India 2023. (ANI)