Himachal cabinet nod to amend eco-tourism policy to align it with Forest Conservation Act

The Himachal Pradesh cabinet on Tuesday decided to amend the Eco-tourism Policy-2017 to align with the recent amendments in the Forest Conservation Act-2023, which are aimed at promoting and developing eco-tourism activities in the state.

The cabinet meeting was held in Shimla under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The cabinet approved the formation of a cabinet sub-committee to review the operation of parking facilities run under the PPP model in Shimla city.

The committee will be chaired by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, with Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh and Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani as its members. Shimla MLA Harish Janartha will serve as a special invitee. The committee will review operations of the parking lots at Lift, Chhota Shimla, Sanjauli, New Bus Stand and Tutikandi.

The cabinet has decided to accept the recommendations of the cabinet sub-committee, headed by Revenue Minister Negi, concerning the 450-MW Shongtong Karchham Power Project. This includes the directive to the company to ensure project completion by the financial year 2026-27.