Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu : Himachal Forest Dept Gears Up to Lease Out 73 More Eco-Tourism Sites

After allotting 18 eco-tourism sites under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department is preparing to lease out 73 more sites across the state, aiming to boost tourism and create livelihood opportunities, especially in rural and interior areas.

In the first phase, 18 eco-tourism sites were allotted to private players, generating an annual revenue of nearly 10 crore for the state. Encouraged by this response, the department has identified 73 additional locations with high tourism potential, particularly for adventure and nature-based activities.

“We can lease out eco-tourism sites only after the Centre approves the working plans of the forest areas where they are located. The process of finalising working plans for regions such as Kasauli, Dalhousie, Rohru and other identified areas is currently underway,” said Sanjay Sood, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests.

A comprehensive Master Plan for eco-tourism in Himachal Pradesh has already been prepared. The plan focuses on identifying new potential destinations and developing site-specific eco-tourism models, while ensuring environmental sustainability.

As part of the initiative, the department will prepare detailed maps of existing tourism inventory, assess key drivers of eco-tourism, and develop a tourist carrying capacity framework. Special emphasis will also be placed on preserving traditional culture and conservation practices through suitable incentives.

Apart from promoting tourism, the initiative aims to generate employment opportunities in remote and forest-fringe areas where job prospects are limited. Buoyed by the success of the existing sites, the Forest Department is also in the process of identifying 100 additional eco-tourism locations for future development.

Some of the earliest eco-tourism sites were allotted nearly 15 years ago in Solan district and the Dalhousie region of Chamba, which later emerged as major tourist attractions, witnessing heavy visitor footfall.

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