Centre provide Rs 48 lakh to HP for training courses

Shimla, Jun 12: The Centre has provided a sum of Rs 48 lakh to Himachal Pradesh's Tourism Department to provide training to 2,250 candidates in more than 80 courses under its capacity building service provider (CBSP), state tourism department's secretary Manisha Nanda today said.

The courses would train candidates for trekking guides and skiing at Narkanda, water sports course at Pong Dam, Chamera and at Govind Sagar, river rafting guide training course at Dehra and Tattapani and course for eco guide and porters at Chamba, she said.

Besides, Ms Nanda said training would also be provided for tourist police programme at Shimla, Manali and Dharamshala and training for hotel and dhaba staff, taxi/bus drivers and training for trainers of Tourism and, HP Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC).

She said the tourism would hold four events like paragliding in Bir Billing, Mountain Biking, Rafting Cup and Himalayan Marathon with the help of a few organisations.

The department also proposes to set up mobile toilets at Manali and Rohtang in order to facilitate the tourists, she added.

Ms Nanda said the Tourism Department in co-operation with Civil Aviation, would hold an Apple Festival during the season in Kullu-Manali area to attract more tourists.

She directed the tourism officials to ensure that no inconvenience was caused to the tourists visiting the state.

UNI