GORAKHPUR, Sep 27: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today underlined the state’s commitment to fostering green investments and harnessing tourism opportunities and said that efforts are being made to exclusively introduce electric vehicle services at key tourist destinations.
Addressing a function organised at Yogiraj Baba Gambhirnath Auditorium on the occasion of World Tourism Day, the CM said, “There should be no movement of vehicles running on diesel or petrol. Private operators will be encouraged for this.”
During this, he inaugurated the exhibition based on tourist places of Uttar Pradesh, released ‘A to Z’ booklet based on tourist places of UP, distributed kits to the members of Youth Tourism Club and felicitated the leading tourism entrepreneurs of the state.
Speaking on the occasion, Yogi said, “This year, the theme of World Tourism Day is ‘Tourism and Green Investment’. This initiative will not only enhance the overall environment but also create a serene and uplifting atmosphere for visitors. We should plan the development of tourist destinations so that no electricity is provided by generators, and we should install solar lighting. Make plans to complete the area’s green energy electrification.”
While extending his greetings to all and emphasising on the transformative power of tourism, which introduces fresh perspectives and lifestyles, he highlighted the need to unlock the multitude of possibilities within tourism to infuse enthusiasm and excitement into the lives of every citizen.
The CM said, “If we look at India or UP from the tourism point of view, two primary categories emerge that are religious and entertainment. Both types of tourism form a vital part of the ecosystem, with one rooted in faith and the other offering entertainment and information.”
He said that when considering UP, it’s challenging to find a place elsewhere in the world as culturally rich and spiritually significant as this state.
Yogi said that in the last one year over 30 crore tourists visited different holy places from religious point of view in UP. “This 30 crore is not just a number; an entire ecosystem is hidden behind it. This would have provided employment to people associated with vehicle movement, flower, prasad sellers, hotel, dharamshalas and restaurant businesses, among many others, and their livelihood would have been enriched,” he said.
He said that during the month of Sawan alone, approximately 2 crore devotees made pilgrimages to Baba Vishwanath at Kashi Vishwanath Dham. “This marked a significant increase in visitor numbers compared to previous years,” he said.
The CM attributed this growth to the improved facilities at various sacred places, including the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram in Ayodhya, Mathura-Vrindavan, and Maa Vindhyavasini Dham.
He said that the cruise is going to become operational in Ramgarh Tal very soon, a location that, just six years ago, was notorious for crime and considered unsafe. He also directed the administration to develop an action plan for introducing a sea plane service, with take-offs and landings from a floating jetty on the Tal (lake).
Yogi emphasised the collective responsibility of maintaining cleanliness and beauty at tourist destinations. He urged individuals not to litter, especially by spitting paan or gutka, and to refrain from discarding plastic items.
He highlighted that litter can be carried by the wind, endangering livestock and causing blockages in drains that contribute to diseases such as dengue, encephalitis, chikungunya and malaria. “Maintaining cleanliness not only preserves the area’s reputation but also invites positive remarks from visitors and outsiders. “Therefore, do not spread filth yourself, nor allow others to spread it,” he said.
The CM highlighted the remarkable transformation of Ramgarh Tal in Gorakhpur and said that just five to six years ago, it was a place people avoided. “However, today, from 5 pm to midnight, it attracts 15,000 to 20,000 visitors and their guests who come to enjoy tourism activities. The inclusion of boating has not only provided livelihoods for boatmen, but has also created opportunities for approximately 200 street vendors to earn their living,” he said.
He emphasised that UP offers a plethora of eco-tourism sites alongside its rich spiritual tourism destinations.
Yogi said that the government is improving connectivity to develop the potential in the tourism sector. “Express highways and four lanes have been constructed. Air connectivity has strengthened. Till 2017, only two airports were operational in UP, today, nine airports are operational. 12 new airports are about to become operational,” he said.
Yogi emphasised the importance of multilingual signage at tourist destinations, suggesting that signage be displayed not only in the local language, but also in the languages of states or countries from which a significant number of tourists originate. He proposed that local youth be trained as guides and equipped with basic information in these languages.
He encouraged the promotion of employment opportunities through home stays in the tourism sector. He also recommended the establishment of businesses focused on crafting incense sticks, perfumes and incense from flowers offered in temples, with the waste from this process being repurposed for composting.
The CM pointed out that Gorakhpur possesses the potential to emerge as a hub for spiritual and heritage tourism. “From a spiritual perspective, the city is home to the Geeta Press, while the Gorakhnath Temple holds significant religious importance. In terms of eco-tourism, the region offers attractions such as Ramgarh Lake. Historical sites like Chauri Chaura, which played a pivotal role in the freedom struggle and Dohariya, known for its fighters, are being developed as heritage tourism destinations,” he said. (UNI)
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