category Regional, chandigarh, , tags Regional, chandigarh, , DW BUREAU chandigarh Haryana, which is recognised for its ancient Indian culture and spiritual significance, has carved its own identity in the tourism and pilgrimage sector over the past nine years. Representing less than 2 percent of the country s population, Haryana has made a mark in various fields across the country and the world. Despite lower possibilities in the tourism sector, the Chief Minister has significantly propelled Haryana towards adventurous sporting activities over the past nine years. The Chief Minister s commitment is to give Haryana a distinct identity on the map of tourism. The Chief Minister, personally inclined towards adventurous sports, has made the Shivalik mountain range a hub for adventure sports. Near Morni Hills, in the Tikkar Tal area, the Chief Minister introduced adventure sports such as paragliding, water sports activities, jet skiing, parasailing, and trekking. Now, Pinjore is also being developed as a tourism destination. In line with these efforts, on November 8, 2023, the Chief Minister will inaugurate the Hot Air Balloon Safari in Pinjore. This will not only offer tourists new tourism activities beyond the ongoing ones but will also allow them to become familiar with the historical background of Pinjore. Pinjore, considered the gateway to the land of Himachal Pradesh, holds its historical significance and is considered a site from the Mahabharata era. This place preserves ancient history dating back thousands of years. Remnants of ancient history are present in various places here. Moreover, the Yadavindra Gardens, also known as the Pinjore Gardens, are extremely famous and showcase the Mughal garden style. The Chief Minister has taken steps to develop various cultural and religious sites, known for their significance in Yamunanagar district, such as Adi Badri, Lohgarh, Kapal Mochan, and Mata Mansa Devi. The ongoing effort is to create a new identity for the Adi Badri, the source of the sacred Saraswati River, with various projects in progress. The Chief Minister has also formed the Saraswati Heritage Board. Furthermore, efforts are underway to develop Baba Banda Singh Bahadur s capital, Lohgarh, as a tourism destination. In continuation of these efforts, on November 8, 2023, the Chief Minister will inaugurate water sports activities at the Hathnikund Barrage, providing a new location for water sports activities for tourists inclined towards adventure sports after Tikkar Tal. To further boost tourism in Haryana and enhance eco-tourism in Morni Hills, recognition has been given to trekking, mountain biking tracks, and various other activities alongside water sports activities. Additionally, the Forest Department has promoted eco-tourism in Morni Hills. Initiatives such as eco-tourism event camping, off-road travelling, and visits to herbal gardens have been initiated. From a forest perspective, the Shivalik and Aravalli mountain ranges are present in Haryana. Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal has implemented several new plans in the last nine years to develop these mountain ranges as tourist destinations. Along this line, a plan has been made to develop the area from Kalka to Kalesar as a tourist spot. For this purpose, a provision of around 1200 crores has been made. (editor dailyworld.in)