Tourists hesitant to travel to Uttarakhand after disaster: Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi

NEW DELHI: In the wake of the natural disaster in Uttarakhand, domestic and foreign tourists are hesitant to undertake the "Char Dham" yatra and visit Nainital and Mussoorie, Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi said today.

"The state government has informed that it is yet to be established that there is 85 per cent downfall in the tourism sector but employment has been adversely affected," he said in reply to a written question in Rajya Sabha.

"According to the State Government of Uttarakhand due to the natural calamity in the state, domestic and foreign tourists are hesitating to come for Char Dham Yatra and visit Nainital and Mussoorie," he said.

The Himachal Pradesh government has stated that no major damage was observed in the state except in Kinnaur district but a decline in domestic and foreign tourists was felt, the Minister said.

The Uttarakhand government has also said that the livelihood of the people involved in tourism has been immensely effected due to the calamity.

"It has been informed that since a large number of people employed in tourism related industry in Uttarakhand, there is a possibility that the affected lower level employed segment may have moved to other states in search of employment," he said.

The Uttarakhand government has proposed revival plans of Rs 1,101 crore. The tourism ministry has announced an additional financial package of Rs 100 crore for rebuilding damaged government tourism assets.

The ministry has already sanctioned central financial assistance of Rs 95 crore for various tourism infrastructure projects.