SURENDRA PAL SINGH / Uttarkashi
The tourist season has started in Uttarkashi with the opening of the famed Gangotri National Park for tourists. As per the Forest department officers, along with Gangotri National Park, the trek routes involving Nelang Valley, Gartang Gali and Gomukh have also been opened on Wednesday for tourists from India and abroad. Tourist footfalls are significant on the very first day after the reopening of the park and popular trek routes.
Notably, Gangotri National Park and its associated trekking routes attract thousands of tourists and trekkers every year, but during the winter, these areas remain closed due to heavy snowfall. This year, however, the park reopened after a long hiatus, sparking enthusiasm among tourists and adventure lovers. “The mystical Nelang Valley, the historic and thrilling route of Gartang Gali and the spiritual significance of Gomukh Trek are once again drawing tourists,” said a senior Forest department officer.
The divisional forest officer Harish Negi said that all preparations have been completed by the Park administration. “Special arrangements have been made for the safety of tourists and surveillance has been increased too in the sensitive areas. But the tourists must strictly follow the established rules when entering the park,” he said and added that they must prioritise the protection of the sensitive Himalayan ecosystem and avoid the use of plastic and other waste,’’ he said.
The park’s opening has sparked excitement locally. Hoteliers, guides, porters, vehicle operators and small vendors are hopeful of high returns. They say that the increased tourism activity is expected to boost the local economy, especially in the border areas, where tourism is the primary source of income.
However, the environment experts warn that maintaining the balance amid the surging tourist footfalls will be the biggest challenge for the Park administration and the Tourism department.
