Uttarakhand is emerging as a preferred destination for investment in the wellness and AYUSH sector. Even as Rishikesh has emerged as the Yoga capital, the state government has accorded industry status to AYUSH and wellness, and tourism, said the chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat. He was speaking at an event organised in Mumbai regarding the Uttarakhand Wellness Summit 2020.
Rawat said that the state government’s priority is to strengthen Uttarakhand’s spiritual and cultural heritage in order to revive historical and cultural values.
Stating that there are more than 20,000 Yoga trainers in the state, he said that efforts are being undertaken to link Yoga with tourism in Uttarakhand. Addressing members of the industrial and business sectors, he said that various steps had been taken to develop religious tourism in the state while also building it as an industrial hub.
Since its creation, the state has developed into a hub of various specialised spheres. The state offers a unique mix of rising industrialisation, modern infrastructural facilities, availability of natural resources and rise in enterprising attitude. Rawat said, “Environmental degradation and changing lifestyles have resulted in various health related issues. Adopting traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, yoga and spiritualism can help resolve such issues. By exploiting the possibilities in Uttarakhand, one can also boost the state’s economic development. The wellness sector is rising rapidly across the world as more people are according priority to better health and lifestyle. With time, more people in India and abroad are being attracted to Ayurveda, Yoga, meditation and natural medicine.”
Stating that India is a nation of considerable cultural and spiritual diversity, he said that Uttarakhand occupies a special place in these aspects. Sacred rivers like the Bhagirathi, Ganga, Yamuna, Alaknanda and Mandakini emerging from the Himalayas, natural beauty and sacred sites of various religious along with world famous tourism destinations attract visitors to the state. Rawat also said that the state has enhanced ease of doing business by simplifying the application process and use of technology. He further said that industry and tourism are economic drivers and employment providers in Uttarakhand.
An investment promotion and facilitation centre with dedicated relationship managers and an elaborate complaint redressal system has been established in Dehradun. In addition to these factors, work is also underway on the all-weather road project and Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project.
Work is also underway for expansion of Dehradun airport with the expansion of Pantnagar airport also planned. Work on one of the world’s longest ropeways between Dehradun and Mussoorie is also in progress.
Another appreciable aspect of the state is its good law and order, added the chief minister. The CM’s adviser KS Panwar, chief secretary Utpal Kumar Singh, principal secretary Manisha Panwar, secretary Dilip Jawalkar and Vishal Kamat from CII Maharashtra were also present on the occasion.
