Uttarakhand is set to map 100 major trekking and hiking routes using Global Positioning System (GPS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. This initiative aims to improve safety for trekkers, streamline rescue operations, and promote adventure tourism in the region. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced this development on Friday, marking the launch of an expedition team tasked with beginning the mapping exercise.
“Uttarakhand has immense potential for adventure and trekking tourism and stressed the need to use modern technology to systematically bring both established trekking regions and remote, lesser-known routes onto the tourism map,” CM Dhami said as he flagged off the team formed by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) from the chief minister’s Camp Office.
He added that tourist safety, alongside the promotion of tourism activities, was a priority for the state government. Dhami also emphasised the need to conserve the state’s sensitive Himalayan ecology while promoting tourism. He instructed officials to ensure the participation of local communities in implementing the project. The application would also assist rescue teams during emergencies. Cabinet minister Ganesh Joshi, additional secretary (tourism) and additional chief executive officer of the UTDB Abhishek Ruhela, additional director (tourism) Poonam Chand and other officials were present on the occasion.
Tourism secretary Dhiraj Singh Garbyal said GPS/GIS mapping and technical surveys of 100 major trek and hike routes would be carried out under the project. Upon successful implementation, Uttarakhand would become the first state in the country to develop such an application covering all 100 mapped trekking routes, according to Garbyal.
“Scientific mapping of trekking routes would provide trekkers with essential route-related information and also improve the effectiveness of relief and rescue operations during emergencies,” he said. He said the project would help boost tourism in remote mountainous areas and create employment and self-employment opportunities for local youth through activities such as guiding, homestays and other tourism-related services. “An offline and online GPS navigation application based on the mapping would subsequently be developed,” he said. Garbyal said provisions relating to safety measures, communication facilities, signage and emergency evacuation plans for trekking routes had also been prioritised in the official master plan for Uttarakhand tourism. The project, he said, would help develop a sustainable and science-based tourism model in the state.
