Eco-Tourism Gets a Boost in Uttarakhand with 75 New Jalaj and Safari Centers under Namami Gange Project
Dehradun, July 16, 2024: In a big push for eco-tourism and river conservation, Uttarakhand boatmen is set to benefit from 75 new Jalaj and Dolphin Safari centers coming up under the Namami Gange project.
These centers are part of the broader Arth Ganga initiative, envisioned by the Prime Minister, to connect rivers with people and promote sustainable livelihoods.
To give new shape to conservation of aquatic ecosystem of the holy Ganga the four-day capacity-building workshop has been launched in Dehradun, gathering over 100 boatmen from various Jalaj Dolphin Safaris along the Ganga River Basin.
The workshop was inaugurated by Shri Virender R Tiwari, Director of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), alongside Dr. Ruchi Badola, Dean of WII, and Dr. S.A. Hussain, retired Scientist-G and Program Manager of the NMCG-WII project.
Participants from ten rivers across seven states are being trained on freshwater species conservation and the critical role that Jalaj Safari rides play in these efforts.
The Jalaj project aims to establish 75 centers in the Ganga River Basin, encompassing homestays, awareness and sale centers, dolphin safaris, livelihood centers, and health and wellness centers.
These centers are designed to raise awareness about aquatic biodiversity and promote local products, thus serving as a model for livelihood diversification.
The workshop's participants are also actively engaged in cleanliness drives and tree plantation programs, contributing to the conservation of the aquatic ecosystem.
This initiative highlights the dual focus of the Arth Ganga project: environmental conservation and economic empowerment through eco-tourism.
The establishment of these centers is expected to create new opportunities for local communities, enhance eco-tourism, and foster a deeper connection between the people of Uttarakhand and their river ecosystems.
Through the Namami Gange project, Uttarakhand is poised to become a leading example of sustainable development and river conservation.
