PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Neelam’s homestay, a case of self-reliance shows how the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Homestay Scheme helped Neelam Chauhan from Chakrata in Dehradun district begin a new journey. Neelam earns about Rs 25–30 lakh every year through her homestay business. The Dehradun district tourism officer Vrijendra Pandey said that Chauhan, a resident of Gram Paati in Chakrata block, started her homestay in 2022–23 after receiving Rs 15 lakh assistance under the Tourism department’s Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Homestay Scheme. She developed Harul-E-Boutique Homestay, built in traditional mountain style, which has been drawing tourists and increasing local tourism. Pandey said that the property has six buildings and a dining hall, giving visitors access to views of Chakrata’s hills, including Tiger Falls, Deoban and the Bandarpunch peaks. Guests also get local meals such as mandua roti, gahat soup and jhangora kheer. She runs the homestay while offering employment to seven residents of the village. According to her, government schemes have created an opportunity for women to engage in self-employment and the recognition recently given to her by chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami as the best homestay operator during the State’s silver jubilee year boosted her confidence, Pandey said. Pandey said that Chauhan’s work reflects growing participation from rural households in tourism and inspires others to follow a similar path.
