Uttarakhand CM orders fast-track plan for spiritual economic zones in Garhwal and Kumaon

Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has asked officials to speed up the plan for creating Spiritual Economic Zones (SEZs) in both major divisions of the state — Garhwal and Kumaon. He gave these instructions during a high-level meeting held at his residence. The government believes that these zones will help protect the state’s religious, cultural and natural heritage while also creating new chances for jobs, business and tourism.

The chief minister said that Uttarakhand already has a strong identity as a spiritual and peaceful state. Many places in the state are connected to ancient traditions, famous temples, and natural beauty. With these new SEZs, the government wants to make the tourism experience better, encourage more spiritual activities and support local communities.

Focus on culture, tourism and youth opportunities

During the meeting, the chief minister explained that the purpose of the SEZs is not only to promote tourism but also to protect the state’s history, beliefs and natural surroundings. He said that every part of the plan must respect the unique qualities of Uttarakhand’s mountains, forests, rivers and pilgrimage areas.

According to officials, the Spiritual Economic Zones will highlight activities such as yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, naturopathy, local handicrafts, mountain products and cultural events. These activities are already an important part of Uttarakhand’s identity, and the government wants to promote them in a more organised and modern way.

Dhami also said that the project will help young people in the state by giving them more opportunities for work and self-employment. Many young people from Uttarakhand go to other states in search of jobs. The new zones could help them find work within their home state. The chief minister instructed departments to begin their work within the current financial year so that the project can move forward quickly.

He also said that Uttarakhand’s tourism must be expanded throughout the year and not only during the main pilgrimage seasons. Winter tourism is an area the government wants to strengthen. For this, better arrangements for travel, accommodation, transport and safety are needed at winter tourist spots. Dhami asked officials to work on improving these facilities so that visitors can travel safely and comfortably even in the colder months.

The chief minister also talked about the importance of spreading awareness about the state’s tourism potential. He said that Uttarakhand must be promoted more aggressively both inside India and abroad. This includes using traditional methods like print media and events, and also modern digital platforms that help reach international audiences. According to him, a wider publicity campaign will attract more tourists, which will help the local economy and improve the lives of people in the state.

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Steps needed for successful implementation

Dhami said that the broader aim of the plan is to support tourism, improve the standard of living for local residents, ensure sustainable development, and protect the state’s natural and spiritual environment. He asked the concerned departments to prepare a proper strategy for how the zones will be built, managed and monitored. He also told them to keep track of the progress at every stage so that the project does not face unnecessary delays.

Tourism minister Satpal Maharaj joined the meeting online. Other senior officials, including the Badri-Kedar Temple Committee chairman Hemant Dwivedi, chief secretary Anand Bardhan and principal secretary R.K. Sudhanshu, were also present. Their involvement shows that the government wants to include all important departments and temple committees in the planning process.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also spoken about Uttarakhand’s spiritual potential. During the statehood silver jubilee celebrations in Dehradun on November 9, he said that Uttarakhand can become the spiritual capital of the world. He said that the state has a long history of spirituality and is becoming more popular because of yoga, Ayurveda and wellness tourism. According to him, if Uttarakhand decides to work in this direction, it can connect its many wellness and yoga centres with a global network.

The Prime Minister also mentioned that the state has made strong progress in areas like herbal development, yoga training and Ayurveda in the past 25 years. He said that now the government must create a full policy to set up yoga and wellness centres at the level of each assembly segment. This will help attract international visitors who come looking for peace, healing and spiritual experiences.

The idea of creating Spiritual Economic Zones fits well with this vision. Such zones can bring together different activities like traditional healing, spiritual learning, eco-tourism, local culture, and mountain-based industries. They can also help make tourism more organised, safe and environmentally friendly.

The success of these zones will depend on how well the infrastructure is developed. Roads, accommodation options, clean surroundings, safety measures, public transport and trained staff are important parts of a good tourism experience. The chief minister stressed that all departments must work together so that these needs are fulfilled in time.

Dhami said that the government’s focus is not only on attracting more tourists but also on protecting the environment. Uttarakhand’s mountains, forests and rivers are very delicate. Tourism must grow in a way that does not harm nature. For this, officials must plan carefully, promote responsible travel and teach visitors to respect local culture and nature.

In the coming months, more details of the plan will be prepared. After that, the government will work on building the required facilities in Garhwal and Kumaon. If implemented well, the Spiritual Economic Zones could help Uttarakhand become a global centre for spiritual tourism, wellness activities and cultural heritage.