Himachal Ecotourism Society Reviews Allotment of Nine Sites Under Phase V

Shimla, October 28: The 19th meeting of the Executive Committee of the Himachal Pradesh Ecotourism Society (HPECOSOC) was held at the Secretariat on Wednesday under the chairpersonship of Principal Secretary (Forests) M. Sudha Devi.

During the meeting, the committee discussed initiatives to promote ecotourism, generate employment and livelihood opportunities for local communities, and strengthen revenue-sharing mechanisms with funding agencies.

CEO of HP ECOSOC K. Thirumal presented the agenda. The chairperson directed officials to strengthen ecotourism activities and encourage greater participation of local communities in the sector.

The committee considered the allotment of nine ecotourism sites under Phase V following Cabinet approval of the prices offered by the highest bidders (H1). The sites include Sourav Van Vihar in Palampur Forest Division, Dhauladhar Biodiversity Park at Narwana in Dharamshala, Shali Tibba in Shimla, Jalori Pass in Ani, Shaheed Ashok Kumar Jot Nature Park in Dalhousie, R-31 at Barog, Camping Site R-33 C1 at Gulhari-Motikuna, Swarnim Vatika Shamlech Nature Park and Camping Site R-55 at Mashobra in the Kasauli area.

The committee also discussed a proposed two-tier membership scheme under the state’s Ecotourism Policy. The plan includes a 20-year lifetime membership, the ‘Snow Leopard Card’, priced at ₹2 lakh, and a one-year ‘Rhododendron Card’ priced at ₹10,000. The Snow Leopard Card would offer free accommodation at ecotourism facilities managed by the society, subject to applicable terms and conditions.

Several forest department officials, representatives of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department and other officers attended the meeting.