Dehradun: The Rural Development Department of Uttarakhand has begun identifying 11 gram panchayats in the Kalsi-Chakrata region of Dehradun district to develop a dedicated tourism corridor, aiming to turn local attractions into direct sources of livelihood for villagers rather than mere sightseeing spots. The initiative seeks to build tourist facilities around ancient temples, waterfalls, rivers and historical sites, while linking the growing influx of visitors to homestays, local cuisine, handicrafts and transport businesses run from the villages themselves.

The department is scouting new tourist destinations across the Kalsi, Chakrata, Raipur, Sahaspur, Doiwala and Vikasnagar development blocks, with special focus on the Kalsi-Chakrata belt given its tourism potential. Kalsi serves as the gateway to the Jaunsar-Bawar region, while Chakrata is already established as a prominent hill tourism destination known for its oak and sal forests, green valleys and views of the Garhwal mountain ranges. The area is also home to ancient temples, religious sites, waterfalls, rivers and historical heritage that continue to draw visitors.

Chakrata and Kalsi have 116 and 111 gram panchayats respectively, out of which 11 have been selected for the first phase of the project. In Chakrata block, the panchayats of Maindrath, Kistwad, Penuwa, Kandoi-Bharam, Dasau, Maletha and Jogiyo have been picked, while in Kalsi block, Udpalta, Panjiya, Lachha and Baadhau have been identified for the initial round. Basic amenities such as drinking water, electricity and accommodation are proposed to be developed around these selected sites. The concerned gram panchayats will prepare and send proposals to the department, following which construction and other development work will begin once the proposals are approved.

The department’s central focus is on linking tourism with the local rural economy, with officials expecting that a rise in tourist footfall will directly benefit homestays, local food outlets, handicrafts, transport services and other small businesses in the surrounding villages. Religious sites such as the Lakhamandal Shiva temple, Mahasu Devta temple and Chintaharan Mahadev temple already attract a steady stream of pilgrims and tourists, while waterfalls including Tiger Fall, Kimona Fall and Moigad Fall draw large numbers of visitors during the tourist season.

The Tons and Yamuna rivers are also expected to play an important role in the region’s tourism prospects. Boating and rafting activities are already conducted in the Yamuna barrage area near Kalsi, while angling is practised on both the Tons and Yamuna rivers. Officials expect these activities to receive a further boost once tourism infrastructure in the region is expanded.

Tourism & Rural Development Secretary Dhiraj Garbyal said Chakrata-Kalsi ranks among the top preferred destinations for tourists, adding that the development of facilities at tourist sites and in the surrounding gram panchayats would increase tourism activity in the region and generate employment opportunities for local residents.

With the identification of sites now underway, the pace of the project’s implementation will depend on how quickly the selected gram panchayats submit their development proposals and how soon the state government clears them for construction, a process officials say will determine when villagers in the Kalsi-Chakrata belt begin to see tangible benefits from the planned tourism corridor.