Dehradun, May 17 – The Uttarakhand government has announced the formation of a new council to manage major religious pilgrimages, including the Char Dham and Adi Kailash Yatra, in a more organized and efficient manner.
At a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday, the state approved the creation of the Uttarakhand Dharamsva and Tirthatan Parishad, a dedicated council aimed at improving infrastructure and pilgrim experience across Himalayan temples and spiritual circuits.
Pilgrimage Council to Enhance Devotee Experience
According to Chief Minister’s Secretary Shailesh Baghauli, the council will focus on building and maintaining infrastructure to ensure safer, more comfortable, and more accessible pilgrimages. This is due to the increasing number of devotees arriving each year due to enhanced road and air connectivity.“There has been an unprecedented rise in pilgrim footfall for the Char Dham Yatra, Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra, Purnagiri Yatra, and Adi Kailash Yatra,” Baghauli said. “To manage this surge effectively, a dedicated unit is necessary for streamlined operations and systematic planning.”
The new council will be allocated a separate budget for its activities and will act as a nodal body for spiritual tourism development.
Empowering Women through Self-Employment Scheme
The cabinet also approved the Mukhyamantri Ekal Mahila Swarojgar Yojana, a self-employment initiative for destitute, abandoned, or widowed women. The scheme aims to provide job opportunities within their local communities, ensuring economic empowerment and social security.This program is part of the state’s broader strategy to uplift marginalized women and enhance their standard of living through sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Uttarakhand Poultry Development Policy-2025
The government also made the significant decision to greenlight the Uttarakhand Poultry Development Policy-2025 to address a major gap in poultry production.Officials highlighted that the state currently faces an annual shortfall of 15,444 lakh eggs and 395 lakh kilograms of poultry meat. The policy aims to attract investment, boost local production, and achieve self-reliance in the poultry sector.
Focus on Ropeway Infrastructure
The cabinet also decided to set up a dedicated state body for ropeway development, targeting rapid and safe connectivity in Uttarakhand’s hilly terrain. This move is expected to enhance tourism and accessibility in remote areas.These decisions underline the Dhami government’s commitment to religious tourism, women's empowerment, and sustainable infrastructure development in the state.