Tehri Garhwal (Uttarakhand) [India], March 6 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugrated the Himalayan O Tehri Lake Festival on Friday, highlighting clear messages of tourism, adventure sports, environmental awareness, and cultural heritage.

While inaugurating the festival, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that the beautiful Tehri Lake will emerge not only as a national but also as a global hub for adventure sports and tourism in the coming years.

On the occasion, he also announced the construction of the Koti Colony-New Tehri ropeway.

In his address, the Chief Minister welcomed athletes and guests who had arrived from across the country and abroad. He said that the sacred land of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has always been a remarkable confluence of spirituality and folk culture.

'Our rivers, mountains, lakes, and traditions have consistently attracted people from around the world. Carrying forward this legacy, the festival organised on the banks of Tehri Lake is an important initiative to bring tourism, sports, and local culture together on a single platform,' Dhami said.

He stated that nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, Tehri Lake is not only a stunning example of natural beauty but is also rapidly emerging as a major destination for adventure sports. 'The national and international water sports competitions held here are not only allowing athletes to showcase their talent but are also helping Uttarakhand gain a new identity on the global sports map,' he said.

Highlighting his government's vision for Tehri, the Chief Minister said the goal is to develop Tehri as a major hub for water and adventure sports. To achieve this, activities such as kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing, parasailing, scuba diving, and other adventure sports are being continuously promoted at Tehri Lake.

Modern training facilities are also being developed so that young athletes from the state can bring laurels to Uttarakhand in national and international competitions. He added that the growing sports and tourism ecosystem around Tehri Lake is creating new opportunities for self-employment and economic empowerment for residents.

The Chief Minister emphasised that the government aims to transform Tehri Lake not just into a tourist destination but into a global centre where sports, culture, and nature converge. He assured that the government will continue working towards this vision.

He also mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a deep emotional connection with Uttarakhand and has personally visited the state to inspire and encourage its people. The Chief Minister highlighted the state government's efforts to promote tourism and adventure sports, citing major events such as the state's first high-altitude marathon at Adi Kailash, the MTB Challenge at Mana, and the Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy.

He said the government wants the youth not only to wait for opportunities but also to create new ones through their talent and hard work. He shared that more than 400 young people in Tehri are currently receiving training in paragliding, which is a matter of great pride. He expressed confidence that these youth will successfully place Uttarakhand on the global paragliding map in the future.

During his address, he also highlighted various development initiatives in the Tehri region. He stated that projects worth more than Rs 1300 crore are currently underway for the overall development of the area. These include the development of Tehri Lake, the construction of a ring road, and the development of Timad village as a tourism village.

Additionally, Sunargaon Gram Panchayat in Bhilangana block is being developed as a model village, and a new Anganwadi building in traditional hill architecture is also being constructed. He also mentioned the establishment of 10 compactor centres and 4,267 waste collection centres across all blocks of the district for plastic waste management.

During the program, the Chief Minister virtually laid the foundation stone for the Koti-Dobra tourism road by pressing a remote button. The project is funded by the Asian Development Bank, with a total cost of Rs 318 crore, and the road will be approximately 15 kilometres long.

Various activities will be organised as part of the Tehri Lake Festival until March 9, including adventure sports, tourism-related events, and several programs showcasing local culture. (ANI)