Uttarakhand Tourism to Get a Boost: Eco-Friendly Mountain Trails to Create Jobs and Promote Nature-Based Tourism

The Union Budget 2026-27 has announced the development of eco-friendly mountain trails in Uttarakhand and other hill states, aiming to promote nature-based tourism and create employment opportunities. The move has been welcomed by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

During the budget presentation, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted that mountain trails will be developed in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. These trails will support trekking, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, providing tourists with enhanced experiences while preserving the environment. CM Dhami praised this initiative as a forward-looking step for the state’s tourism sector.

Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Trails:
Finance Minister Sitharaman noted that the trails will be narrow, sustainable, and eco-friendly. Similar trails are also planned in the Araku Valley of the Eastern Ghats and the Potigai Malai region of the Western Ghats. The government views tourism as a key driver of employment and economic growth in the coming years.

CM Dhami Welcomes the Budget:
Chief Minister Dhami said the trails will strengthen local livelihoods in mountainous areas, create new employment opportunities for youth and residents, and open new avenues for tourism. Sharing his views on social media, CM Dhami described the Union Budget 2026-27 as not just an economic document but a declaration of the vision for a “Developed India-2047.” He emphasized that the budget focuses on farmers, youth, women, and marginalized communities, reflecting self-reliance and inclusive development.

Boost for Mountain Agriculture:
The budget also promotes high-value crops such as walnuts and chilgoza in hill states, supporting scientific cultivation to increase farmers’ incomes and strengthen the rural economy.

Overall, these steps in tourism and agriculture are expected to open new avenues for growth and employment in Uttarakhand and other hill states.