The Destination Uttarakhand Conclave 2.0, hosted by The Times of India, brought together senior policymakers, industry visionaries, technologists and experts for an in-depth dialogue on the state’s developmental journey and emerging opportunities. The event highlighted Uttarakhand’s rising stature in tourism, infrastructure, governance, investment, and social development.
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Chief Minister Highlights Uttarakhand’s Consistent Performance
Chief Minister Mr. Pushkar Singh Dhami, attending as chief guest, said the conclave would serve as a catalyst for future-ready development strategies. He emphasized that discussions on investment, tourism, agriculture, startups and infrastructure would give the state fresh momentum. According to him, Uttarakhand has consistently performed exceptionally well in national and international rankings.
Government’s Push for Investor-Friendly Ecosystem
Delivering the keynote address, Principal Secretary Mr. R. K. Sudhanshu highlighted the state’s efforts to create a supportive environment for villagers, investors, businessmen and tourists. He noted that Uttarakhand now has 560 tigers, up from about 150 in 2006, reflecting a healthy coexistence of wildlife and people.
The New Himalayan Narrative: Tourism-Led Creative Growth
The inaugural session titled The New Himalayan Narrative explored Uttarakhand’s evolving tourism landscape.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden Mr. Ranjan Mishra said Uttarakhand’s robust protected network—comprising five national parks, five sanctuaries, four community reserves and one biosphere reserve—naturally positions it as a world-class eco-tourism destination. He stressed the need for waste-free forests and harmonious coexistence with wildlife.
Tourism Department Additional Secretary Mr. Abhishek Rohilla shared that adventure tourism is expanding rapidly. Soon, every district will host paragliding activities, while the Mandakini and Tons rivers will be developed for rafting like Rishikesh.
Hospitality and Experience-Based Tourism Demand Rising
SaffronStays founder Ms. Tejas Parulekar highlighted the massive need for more quality hospitality options in India, pointing out the gap between demand and supply. Former ACEO of Adventure Tourism Uttarakhand Mr. Ashwin Pundir added that other states consult Uttarakhand for its expertise in water and mountain sports frameworks.
Anthropologist Mr. Lokesh Ohri emphasized that Uttarakhand’s strength lies in slow, immersive tourism—nature walks, local cuisines and peaceful retreats. PRSI Uttarakhand Chairman Mr. Ravi Bijaniya encouraged visitors to promote the state authentically through personal social media posts.
Empowering Uttarakhand: Social Development and Skill Growth
In the session Empowering Uttarakhand, Women and Child Development Secretary Mr. Chandresh Kumar highlighted the improvement in the state’s sex ratio—from 962 at formation to 984 today. Education Secretary Mr. Ravinath Raman said women and children are the backbone of society, and strengthening them strengthens the state.
HCL Technologies Chief Architect Mr. Anurag Pandey said AI must be embraced with awareness, emphasizing educational preparation for future technologies.
Medanta Medicity Trauma Specialist Dr. Lokendra Gupta predicted significant advancement in trauma care and emergency medicine. Sunfox Technologies Co-founder Mr. Arpit Jain emphasized last-mile health accessibility and the need for CURVE basic training for heart health awareness.
Building the Future: Infrastructure and Industrial Expansion
In the final session Building the Future, Principal Secretary Mr. R. Meenakshi Sundaram highlighted the doubling of Uttarakhand’s road network since its formation.
Infrastructure Secretary Mr. Pankaj Pandey shared that 99% of Uttarakhand’s villages are connected by road, enabling micro and small industries to flourish. He added that all bridges in the state will soon be upgraded to load-bearing capacity.
Former CII Uttarakhand Chairman Mr. Vipul Dawar highlighted how Uttarakhand has become one of India’s largest automobile producers, with nearly 40% of the country’s automobiles originating from the state.
Graphic Era University Associate Professor Mr. Sachin Ghai noted that Dehradun, formerly known for elite schooling, is now emerging as a hub for higher education. Senior bureaucrat Mr. B. D. Tiwari also presented his vision for the state’s future.
Innovation, Ecology and Inclusivity Will Shape Uttarakhand’s Next Leap
With themes ranging from eco-tourism and hospitality to AI governance and modern infrastructure, the conclave reaffirmed a unified message: Uttarakhand’s future will be built on innovation-driven growth, ecological stewardship and socially inclusive development.
