CM Dhami Directs Preparation of Roadmap for Spiritual Economic Zones in Both Divisions

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, during a high-level meeting held at the Chief Minister’s residence on Wednesday, directed officials to prepare a detailed roadmap for the establishment of one Spiritual Economic Zone (SEZ) in each of the state’s two divisions.

He said this initiative would be a major step toward positioning Uttarakhand as a global hub of spirituality, culture, and tourism. The Chief Minister stated that under this project, religious, cultural, and natural heritage sites should be preserved while ensuring comprehensive development of pilgrimage destinations and their surrounding areas.

He added that the initiative would create new avenues for employment and self-employment for local youth and give fresh momentum to the state’s economy. He instructed officials to begin on-ground work on this plan within the current financial year. The proposed zones would also promote yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, naturopathy, local handicrafts, mountain products, and cultural events.

CM Dhami said that this effort would further enrich the tourism landscape of the state and strengthen Uttarakhand’s identity as the “Spiritual Capital” of India.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister also stressed the need to strengthen arrangements for the winter tourism season. He directed that basic facilities at winter tourist destinations be expanded and that travel, accommodation, transport, and safety arrangements be improved so more visitors can experience the state’s natural and cultural diversity. He said that traditional and modern media should be used to actively promote winter tourism opportunities across India and abroad.

The Chief Minister emphasized that the goal is not only to boost tourism but also to improve the quality of life for citizens while ensuring sustainable development that preserves the state’s natural and spiritual heritage. He instructed officials to develop a concrete action strategy to bring the plans to the ground and ensure phase-wise, time-bound monitoring.

Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj joined the meeting virtually.
Present at the meeting were Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Chairman Hemant Dwivedi, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Principal Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu, Dr. R. Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretaries Shailesh Bagauli and Dheeraj Singh Gabryal, Resident Commissioner Ajay Mishra, Additional Secretary Abhishek Rohila, and other officials.

Information & Public Relations Department