Dehradun. The Uttarakhand government has embarked on a high‑tech drive to modernise trekking and adventure tourism across the state. On Friday, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami officially dispatched an expedition team from his camp office to carry out GPS‑GIS mapping and technical surveys of one hundred prominent trekking and hiking routes.
Formed under the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, the field teams will walk each selected trail, creating precise digital maps while pinpointing optimal spots for campsites, waste bins, toilets and other essential infrastructure.
Offline Route Data for Remote Areas
Tourism Secretary Dhiraj Garbyal announced that the survey data will feed into both online and offline navigation applications. Even in zones lacking cellular coverage, trekkers will be able to retrieve critical trail information on their smartphones, a feature that will also aid rescue and relief missions during emergencies.
The initiative is expected to invigorate tourism in isolated mountain regions and generate jobs for local youth in guiding, homestays and related services. The Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure active participation of community members throughout the project.
Following the fieldwork, the Tourism Department will compile a Detailed Project Report and publish a coffee‑table book, aiming to showcase lesser‑known trails and raise their profile on national and international platforms.
Present at the launch were Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi, Additional Secretary (Tourism) and Additional CEO of the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board Abhishek Ruhela, Additional Director (Tourism) Poonam Chand, along with other senior officials.
