Rohtang tunnel will boost tourism potential in Himachal Pradesh

Once the construction of the 8.8-Km horseshoe shaped Rohtang tunnel is completed, the tourist footfalls in the picturesque, remote Lahaul Valley in Himachal Pradesh is expected to rise. The government will provide basic infrastructure and other facilities to attract tourists to the valley in Lahaul-Spiti district.
Efforts are on to identify necessary land for construction of an airport in the district.
This has been reported in thestatesman.com dated 16 March 2017.

The rafting stretch from Darcha to Jispa on the Bhaga river and from Kaza bridge to Tabo has been notified by the state government and, in the period 2015 to 2017, Rs.40 lakh has been sanctioned and utilized to develop and beautify the Buddhist Gompas. In addition, these is a proposal of installing a ski lift in Keylong, the district headquarters. It is under process.
The Rohtang tunnel was scheduled to be completed by 2015 but the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), a wing of the Defence Ministry, aims to open it now for traffic in 2019. The project is a joint effort of the BRO in collaboration with Strabag-Afcons, a 60:40 joint venture between Strabag SE of Austria and India's Afcons Infrastructure Ltd.


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Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh to get a pair of Royal Bengal tigers

The Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh (HP) was once famous for its Lion Safari and will now open its doors to a pair of Royal Bengal Tigers from Delhi. It will be through an animal exchange program and the state government will send three leopards in exchange from Shimla, which has 12 leopards at the moment. These animals are found in abundance in the jungles in HP.
There are no lions left in the Renuka Wildlife sanctuary in Sirmour district after the death of the last one two years ago.
This has been reported in thestatesman.com dated 5 February 2017.

In order to accommodate the tigers, special enclosures are to be built. These enclosures must have a deep foundation. These tigers would be kept for captive display in the zoo in the sanctuary. The wildlife wing’s plan on tiger breeding would, however, depend on the pair that is provided to the state.
The Renuka zoo is the first one in HP and, was established in 1957. A pair of Asiatic lions was brought to this zoo from Uttar Pradesh in 1974. Over the years, the lions grew in numbers and at one time, there were more than two dozen. THe sanctuary is spread across 4.028 square kilometres and houses a zoo, which has some leopards, 20 barking deers, 40 Sambars, 20 Indian ducks and three Black Bears and Cheetal.


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Apples from Himachal Pradesh to boost economy of Nepal

Apples from Himachal Pradesh are set to boost the economy of Nepal and its farmers in Nepal are expected to reap high profits from the high yielding variety of apples that are being imported from Nauni, Solan district of Himachal Pradesh.
Nearly 2000 root stocks of apple plants have been imported by Nepalese farmers and these have the capacity to produce 25 metric tonnes per hectare. The Nepal government had introduced apples in Jumla in the 1970s and they too were procured from Himachal Pradesh.
This has been reported in thestatesman.com dated 18 January 2017.

Right now, apple is grown on 5063 hectare area with a production of around 43,000 metric tonnes per year and the per hectare production at present stands between 5 to 8 metric tonnes.
However, apple growing areas in Nepal are situated in remote places in the mid and high mountains. These areas are not easily accessible to motor roads and, therefore, essential inputs like fertilizers, plant protection chemicals and horticulture tools etc are not regularly available.


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Himachal Pradesh to share space in Republic Day parade at Rajpath, New Delhi.

Himachal Pradesh will finally get to share space with other states at the Republic Day parade at Rajpath, New Delhi, after a long wait of four years. It was in 2013 last, that the state had exhibited the rich tribal culture of Kinnaur district.
The opportunity has now come again to showcase its rich cultural heritage through its R-Day tableaux list and, the break has brought cheers to the people.
This has been reported in thestatesman.com dated 6 January 2017.

The state authorities had submitted five models of tableaux and the one on the ‘Chamba Rumal’ impressed the selection committee and was approved. Himachal Pradesh, thus, becomes one of the 15 states and UTs selected for showcasing their tableau in the R-Day parade this year.
In 2013, Himachal Pradesh had got an opportunity to exhibit the rich tribal culture of Kinnaur district. Earlier, in 2007, it had showcased the monasteries and monks of Lahaul and Spiti, and in 1998, the Raghunath Chariot of Dussehra festivity of Kullu.
Incidentally, in 1993, it won an award in the tableau round for showcasing tourist enjoying snowfall and also an appreciation award for the tableau on famous Rock temples of Masrur.


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Himachal to encourage film tourism and promote the state as a filming destination

Himachal government is keen to promote the state as a filming destination and encouraging film tourism. It will generate revenue as well as employment especially in less developed and less traveled areas.
The state has been blessed with immense natural beauty, serene environment and has always remained a big attraction to the film makers from different parts of the world.
There are many scenic locations which are ideal to the film makers especially in the remote belts. The government is making all-out efforts to develop these sites to facilitate the tourists and film-makers.
This has been reported in thestatesman.com dated 25 December 2016.

The film fraternity has always been excited about filming in Himachal and several films like Jab We Met, Love in Simla, Raaz: The Mystery Continues etcetera have been shot in Himachal Pradesh and have been big success.
The officials have revealed that there would be a nodal agency/officer for purposes of promoting and facilitating film shooting. Familiarization (FAM) tours for foreign filmmakers would also be facilitated by the support of the state government. In addition, the government is exploring possibilities of setting up a film studio in the state to promote film tourism in the state.


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