Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 18 Jul: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday participated virtually from his residence auditorium in the employment registration certificate distribution programme organised at the Fanto zone of Terai Western Forest Division, Ramnagar, where 180 trained male and female Nature guides were awarded employment registration certificates. Congratulating the guides on this occasion, the CM observed that these certificates are not merely documents of employment but proof of the skill, hard work and commitment of youth towards conservation of nature. He emphasised that nature guides are not only connecting local youth with livelihood but are also playing a vital role in building a self‑reliant Uttarakhand.
Dhami expressed satisfaction that many of the youth receiving certificates have returned to their villages through reverse migration, which he described as a symbol of renewed confidence, prosperity and opportunities in Uttarakhand’s rural areas. He asserted that Fanto zone has now emerged as an outstanding model of eco‑tourism and community‑based tourism and that it attracts domestic and international visitors with its natural beauty, rich biodiversity, dense forests, serene environment and wildlife. He also noted that the zone is also gaining recognition for tiger sighting, while tree houses developed there are offering tourists a unique experience amidst nature. Tourism activities are generating revenue for the State and providing economic benefits to local communities.
He reiterated that the government’s priority is to conserve nature while ensuring prosperity for communities linked with it. Eco‑tourism is creating employment and self‑employment opportunities for local youth, women, homestay operators, small traders, drivers, producers of local goods and rural families. He noted that as the government completes five years, Uttarakhand has established new milestones in development, good governance, employment generation and welfare, with initiatives like eco‑tourism and nature guides providing dignified livelihoods to youth in their own villages.
The Chief Minister asserted that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is linking tourism not just with leisure but with employment, self‑employment, strengthening of the local economy and reverse migration. He highlighted that new opportunities are being created in homestays, winter tourism, adventure tourism, eco‑tourism, wellness tourism, destination weddings and spiritual tourism, resulting in a 44 per cent rise in reverse migration. He remarked that Uttarakhand’s villages are no longer just centres of old memories but are becoming hubs of new possibilities.
Dhami stressed that employment opportunities in the villages will help check migration, tourism will boost local trade and prosperity of communities will realise the vision of a self‑reliant Uttarakhand. He also stressed upon the crucial role of nature guides, describing them as guardians of forests, collaborators in wildlife conservation and brand ambassadors of the state’s culture, traditions and hospitality. He said they not only show tourists wildlife but also spread awareness about love and sensitivity towards nature, reminding people that forests and wildlife are invaluable heritage for future generations.
The CM further called upon all the nature guides and the residents to pledge for conservation of nature and wildlife, environmental awareness, prosperity of villages and employment for local youth. He said through public participation, tourism will be promoted and the government’s resolve to make Uttarakhand the finest and self‑reliant State will be fulfilled. Senior forest officials, officers, public representatives, nature guides and a large number of local residents were among those present at the site on the occasion.
