Kedarnath devastation badly hit tourism in Uttarakhand: Government

CHANDIGARH: The Uttarakhand government today said that 80 per cent of its tourist destinations were "completely safe" but continuous coverage of the recent devastation at Kedarnath, by various television channels has badly affected tourism in the state.

"The tourism sector has been badly hit. The continuous coverage of the devastation by TV channels at Kedarnath temple has scared people to come here and this has hit the tourism sector badly," Additional Secretary (Tourism) Sachin Kurve told reporters here today.

"Only 20 per cent of tourist destinations were hit due to the devastating floods and landslides. 80 per cent of our destinations like Ranikhet, Nanital, Mussoorie are safe. But because of fear psychosis, these areas are also suffering a great loss," Kurve said.

Most of the hotel bookings in Nanital and Mussorie were cancelled by tourists, he said, adding, the disaster in June had completely halted the 'Char Dham Yatra' (Gangotri, Yamnotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath).

"We are trying our best to restart the Char Dham Yatra as soon as possible," he said adding that the tourism sector contributes 25-30 per cent to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

Kurve said the devastation has caused a loss of around Rs 4,000-5000 crore to properties in both private and government sectors.

Asked about steps taken by the state government to keep a track of tourists, Kurve said its priority is to conduct 'Char Dham Yatra' in a more organised and scientific way.

"In higher reaches, the priority will be that tourists' inflow will be more organised and streamlined. I am not saying that it would be to limiting the inflow of people coming to Uttarakhand," he said.