Shimla: To extend the benefits of tourism into rural areas, the state has launched a novel scheme ‘Har Gaon Ki Kahani’ which involves not just improving tourism infrastructure but assimilating folklore that is centred around local gods and goddess (Devta’s and Devi’s).
Speaking about the program, Arun Sharma, director tourism said that the main purpose to launch this ambitious scheme was to develop tourists villages and ensure all facilities to the tourists, throughout the year.
Visitors would be apprised with the history of village, its culture, the delicacies, customs and traditions through a document containing all the valuable information of the villages.
Village legends and stories which are associated since time immemorial are planned to be documented.
Such legends or stories are to be collected through Panchayats representatives or any other persons hailing from that village who can contribute towards it.
District tourism officers or the concerned deputy commissioner of the districts would be involved in the process of spotting villages with rich heritage, he said.
Taking advantage of MNREGA, such villages development would be undertaken by as ‘tourist villages’ and suitable infrastructure would be created.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
