Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has decided to carry out mapping of trekking routes across the state for the first time in a move aimed at improving the safety of trekkers and promoting adventure tourism.
The decision was approved during a meeting of the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Council. Officials said the mapping exercise will help authorities track the location of trekking groups and provide better support during emergencies.
Tourism Secretary Dhiraj Garbyal said Uttarakhand has more than 250 trekking routes, while trekking and mountaineering activities are currently permitted on 83 routes. The proposed mapping will provide detailed information about Himalayan trekking trails and make route data more accessible to adventure tourists visiting from across India and abroad.
According to officials, locating trekkers during accidents or adverse weather conditions often becomes a major challenge in remote mountain areas. The mapping project is expected to strengthen rescue operations by helping authorities identify the exact location of trekking groups more quickly.
The state government is focusing on expanding year-round tourism, with adventure tourism emerging as a key sector. Along with route mapping, a proposal has also been prepared to increase financial assistance for homestays located near trekking routes. Officials believe this will create new livelihood opportunities for local communities while improving facilities for visitors.
The initiative is expected to enhance tourist safety, improve route management, and support the growth of sustainable adventure tourism in Uttarakhand.
