Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], September 27 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that the state government is actively promoting water sports to enhance tourism and that the initiative aims to utilize local water bodies to establish Himachal Pradesh as a top destination for water-based recreational activities, drawing both domestic and international visitors.
The Chief Minister said that the trial to operate a cruise in Govind Sagar Lake in Bilaspur has begun with a plan to make these activities available to tourists by the end of October this year.
Additionally, the state government is also contemplating introducing heli taxi services from Bilaspur to Manali or Kullu to cater the high-end tourists looking for unique travel experiences.
CM Sukhu said that water sports activities in Govind Sagar Lake at Androuli in Una district are also on the horizon. The tenders for commencing water sports activities in Govind Sagar Lake in Una district have also been floated and are expected to be awarded by the end of this month.
"A target has been set to launch adventure sports, including water sports activities, paragliding and other allied activities by the end of this year. A Govind Sagar Lake Carnival will be held at Androuli to formally launch these adventure activities shortly," said Sukhu.
Sukhu further said, "Himachal Pradesh is blessed with stunning landscapes and we also have man-made and natural water bodies. These attributes make the state an ideal destination for the tourists to explore the natural beauty and the State Government is capitalizing on this potential to promote tourism and bring economic benefits to the people of the state."
The Chief Minister said that efforts were also underway to start adventure sports activities in Pong Dam of Kangra district as well. He said that permission has been secured for commencing water sports activities in Pong Dam at Matiyal in Fatehpur assembly constituency and Nangal Chowk area of Jaswan Pragpur assembly segment.
The Tourism Department plans to start operations of Shikara rides, cruise floating restaurants, houseboats, and other soft water sports activities by June 2025, CM Sukhu said, adding that the commencement of adventure sports activities in Pong Dam aims to attract more tourists in Kangra district.
CM Sukhu said, "The present state government has taken numerous initiatives to promote tourism in the state and we are expecting to receive around 2 crore tourists in this calendar year."
"The tourism sector is instrumental in providing employment and self-employment opportunities to the youth of the state and this sector is also crucial for the economy of the state. Therefore, the State Government has accorded top priority to ramp up the tourism infrastructure to make the experiences of the tourists memorable," said CM Sukhu.