Dehradun: A high-level committee meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan was held at the Secretariat on Friday to review plans for developing Tehri Lake into a world-class tourism destination. The meeting emphasized creating an environmentally sustainable tourism hub while integrating local culture and heritage into the project.
The Chief Secretary directed officials to give the Tehri Lake project a simple, attractive brand name that is easy for visitors to remember. He also instructed that the Managing Director of THDC India Limited be invited as a special member at future meetings and that the District Magistrate of Tehri be included in the committee.
He directed that the project be developed as a green energy-based tourism destination, with efforts made to power the proposed Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) through solar energy by installing solar power systems wherever feasible.
The Chief Secretary also instructed officials to develop selected villages around Tehri Lake as “Traditional Villages”, showcasing Uttarakhand’s folk culture, handicrafts, and heritage. He stressed linking these model villages with local livelihoods and ensuring active participation of local communities in tourism-related activities.
He further directed that a robust operation and maintenance framework be established for all assets created under the project, supported by sustainable revenue-generation models to ensure their long-term viability.
Officials were also asked to conduct a scientific assessment of the lake’s carrying capacity for boating and jetty operations and prepare a comprehensive, phased implementation plan for the project.
The meeting also discussed the concept of establishing a museum highlighting the historical significance of the Tehri region. The Chief Secretary suggested that it should feature the history of the former Tehri princely state, local art and culture, and a 3D model of the submerged Old Tehri town, enabling visitors to explore the region’s rich heritage.
Senior officials, including Principal Secretary R. Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretaries Dilip Jawalkar and Dr. V. Shanmugam, and Dheeraj Singh Garbyal, attended the meeting.
