Sukhu said that in the past two years, afforestation activities have been carried out over 600 hectares of barren hills and slopes and local communities was actively involved in these efforts. A seven-year maintenance period has been defined for the saplings, during which locals were being engaged which would ensure employment opportunities to the locals nearer to their homes.

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the project would not only provide a unique experience for visitors but also generate substantial economic opportunities for the local population. “By promoting sustainable tourism and reducing travel time

He said the main purpose of the conference was to partner with private sector for development, management and operation of the properties being developed under the new Asian Development Bank (ADB) project so that world class facilities and experience could be given to the tourists. He said more such conferences would be held in other places of the country to encourage private sector for investment in Himachal.