HP Government Solicits Funds For Tourism Projects

Naveen Sharma - Shimla

In a bid to enhance the tourism potential of the state, the Himachal Pradesh government has urged Jagmohan, union minister for tourism and culture, during his visit to Shimla to provide more funds for tourism projects. The other appeals included the transfer some of the Kangra Paintings lying in the National Museum, New Delhi to the state, treating Himachal Pradesh on a par with the north-eastern states in the matter of inter-state cultural exchange and approving the proposal for setting up of state archives.

Virbhadra Singh, chief minister, Himachal Pradesh has submitted four project reports to Jagmohan, on Naina Devi-Vaishno Devi, Palampur-Palampur, Gaiety Theatre and the Kapla-Sarahan circuit. He said that a Manali -Leh Buddhist tourism circuit was being developed for which three levels of facilities would be provided at small, medium and major towns in the circuit. The facilities would include places of public convenience, eating joints, lodging and petrol pumps at small stations. "The priority would be given to complete the Buddhist circuit as soon as possible. But, we seek financial support from the Centre to commission this circuit," Singh added.

Reacting to the demands of the state, Jagmohan, said, "There would be no dearth of funds if the state implemented the already sanctioned projects like the Leh-Manali

Buddhist circuit expeditiously (a Rs 7.5 crore project). More funds would be allocated for the development of two circuits in the state. Even a new arts school on Roerich Estate to develop the Kangra school of Painting would be set in the state. For the proposed international college of arts to be set up at the Roerich art gallery, an amount of Rs one crore had been sanctioned by the Prime Minister and now an additional Rs one crore had been allocated besides Rs 1.70 crore for the construction of buildings." Further the union minister added that initially 30 students would be admitted to the college, which is expected to commence operations soon. The ministry would also sponsor an international artists camp at Nagar in which world-class artists would participate. An amount of Rs 50 lakh has also been sanctioned for a museum to be set at Nagar Castle.

Expounding on the potential of Himachal as a tourist state, Jagmohan said that four new circuits would be developed in the state apart from the existing three hubs of Kangra-Dharamshala, Kullu-Manali and Shimla. “Even a hub approach for promoting tourist destinations could be adopted for Shimla, Kulu and Dharamsala. Quality tourism and mass tourism had to go side by side to ensure economic viability of the industry. "The Queen of Hills, Shimla has extensive haphazard constructions and an overall awakening is required to dispel this growing culture of misgovernance," he said.