PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Ayush-based health tourism projects in Uttarakhand have generated 1,285 direct jobs through 27 operational initiatives in the state, the Union Government informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
In response to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt, the minister of state (independent charge) for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav said that the projects were planned following the Investors Summit 2023 and are being implemented under Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed with private investors.
The projects are aimed at promoting wellness tourism in Uttarakhand while creating employment opportunities for youth. He said that Ayush-based tourism includes services related to Ayurveda treatment centres, Yoga and naturopathy facilities, wellness retreats and traditional therapies that attract visitors from across the country.
The minister also informed the house that financial assistance for strengthening Ayush education infrastructure is being provided under the National Ayush Mission. States and Union Territories can submit proposals through their Annual Action Plans to seek support for establishing new government Ayush colleges and institutes where such facilities are limited.
The government further said that the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences is conducting research activities in the state through its Regional Ayurveda Research Institute located in Ranikhet in Almora district.
The expansion of Ayush-based health tourism is being seen as part of broader efforts to link traditional healthcare systems with tourism and employment generation in hill states like Uttarakhand, where wellness travel is steadily gaining popularity among visitors, the minister informed.
