Tehri: The grand opening of the Himalayan O₂ – Tehri Lake Festival 2026 took place on Friday, March 6, at the scenic Tehri Lake. The festival was inaugurated by Pushkar Singh Dhami, who shared his vision of transforming Uttarakhand into a global hub for adventure, wellness, and spiritual tourism.
Set amid the breathtaking Himalayan landscape, the event highlights the growing importance of Tehri Lake as a major tourist attraction and aims to showcase the state’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and adventure tourism potential.
Vision to Make Uttarakhand a Global Tourism Hub
During his address, Chief Minister Dhami emphasized that Uttarakhand is rapidly gaining national and international recognition in adventure tourism, spiritual tourism, and wellness tourism. He said that Tehri Lake has emerged as a major attraction for both domestic and international tourists.
According to him, the state government is committed to positioning Uttarakhand as one of India’s leading tourism and adventure sports destinations by enhancing infrastructure and developing tourism projects across lakes, mountainous regions, and religious sites.
New Employment Opportunities for Youth
The Chief Minister highlighted that tourism is not only about scenic beauty but also a strong driver of employment and entrepreneurship. He noted that government policies and investment initiatives are helping expand tourism-related opportunities for local youth.
With increasing tourist inflow, sectors such as hospitality, transport, local trade, and adventure sports training are creating new avenues for jobs and self-employment in the region.
Major Development Announcements for Tehri
Several key development projects for the Tehri region were announced during the festival. One of the most significant proposals is the construction of a ropeway connecting Koti Colony to New Tehri. The ropeway will offer tourists panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains while boosting tourism activity.
Additionally, development projects worth more than ₹1300 crore are currently underway in the region. These include tourism development around Tehri Lake, construction of a ring road, and the development of Timad village as a tourism village.
The government is also planning to develop Sunargaon in Bhilangana block as a model village.
Focus on Adventure Sports Development
Tehri Lake is steadily emerging as a major adventure sports hub in India. The government plans to expand activities such as kayaking, canoeing, jet-skiing, parasailing, and scuba diving at a larger scale.
Training facilities are also being developed to help young athletes from the state compete at national and international levels. Currently, more than 400 youths in Tehri are undergoing paragliding training, which could help establish Uttarakhand on the global paragliding map.
Infrastructure and Connectivity Boost
The state government is strengthening tourism infrastructure through improved road, rail, and air connectivity. During the event, CM Dhami also virtually laid the foundation stone for the Koti–Dobra tourism road project.
The proposed 15-kilometer road, estimated to cost around ₹318 crore and supported by the Asian Development Bank, is expected to significantly improve accessibility and tourism mobility in the region.
Environmental Protection Measures
While promoting tourism, the state government is also focusing on environmental protection. Plans include establishing 10 plastic waste compactor centers and 4,267 garbage collection points across blocks in Tehri district to manage waste effectively and preserve the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
Cultural Programs and Adventure Activities
The Tehri Lake Festival features a wide range of activities including water sports, adventure competitions, music performances, and cultural showcases. Visitors can experience traditional folk dances, local cuisine, and regional music that reflect Uttarakhand’s rich cultural heritage.
The festival serves as a platform to bring together tourism, sports, and culture while boosting the local economy.
Festival to Continue Until March 9
The Tehri Lake Festival will continue until March 9, attracting tourists, athletes, and cultural performers from across the country and abroad. Through this event, the Uttarakhand government aims to promote sustainable tourism and position the state prominently on the global tourism map.
Read also: Uttarakhand Receives ₹916 Crore NABARD Funding to Boost Rural Infrastructure and Development
