06-06-2026 : During his visit to Munsyari, Governor offered prayers at Nanda Devi Temple for the prosperity and well-being of the people.

Lok Bhavan Uttarakhand-Information Wing
Press Note

Lok Bhavan Nainital/ Munsyari, Pithoragarh 06 June, 2026

During his two-day visit to Munsyari, Governor Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd.) today offered prayers at the famous Nanda Devi Temple and prayed for the prosperity, well-being, and happiness of the people of the state and the region.

On this occasion, the Governor reviewed the tourism activities being carried out in the area and appreciated the tourism facilities and arrangements developed in and around the Nanda Devi Temple complex. He congratulated the district administration for its efforts. The district administration briefed him in detail about the tourism activities being developed in Munsyari block, including Milam, Khaliya Top, Birthi, the Panchachuli region, and other major tourist destinations.

The Governor also met the office bearers and members of the Nanda Devi Temple Committee and discussed temple management as well as the prospects for religious tourism.

During the visit, the Governor inspected exhibition stalls set up by the district administration and various departments and appreciated the innovations and developmental initiatives being undertaken at the local level. While visiting stalls displaying local products, he gathered information about the quality, marketing, and branding of products prepared by women’s self-help groups. He stated that preserving and effectively marketing local products can play a significant role in strengthening rural livelihoods while establishing local identity at national and international levels.

The Governor interacted with women’s self-help groups and local residents present at the temple complex. Appreciating the efforts of women toward self-employment and self-reliance, he said that women’s groups are playing a vital role in strengthening the rural economy.

Subsequently, the Governor visited Sarmoli Gram Panchayat, which was honored with the “Best Tourism Village” award in 2023. Praising Sarmoli’s community-based tourism and homestay model, he said that the village is an excellent example of local participation, women’s empowerment, and sustainable tourism development. He noted that tourism in the village has been effectively linked with livelihoods and environmental conservation through the active involvement of the local community, particularly women.

The Governor highly appreciated Sarmoli’s homestay model and community participation. He said that Sarmoli has developed a model based on community involvement, women’s empowerment, and sustainable tourism development, which is gaining recognition at both national and international levels.

Congratulating the villagers, women’s self-help groups, and homestay operators on this achievement, the Governor said that their collective efforts have given Sarmoli a distinct identity in the tourism sector. He expressed gratitude to local women for preserving traditional products, folk culture, local cuisine, and natural heritage, and urged them to continue promoting and preserving the region’s cultural traditions.

He said that the Sarmoli model is not only creating employment and self-employment opportunities for local people but is also serving as an effective medium for introducing tourists to Uttarakhand’s rich culture, traditions, and rural lifestyle. The homestays operating in the area provide visitors with authentic experiences of local cuisine, culture, and village life, which particularly attract tourists from across India and abroad.

The Governor also met homestay operators in the region and learned about their experiences, suggestions, and challenges. He remarked that Munsyari has now established a unique identity among Uttarakhand’s leading tourist destinations. At present, around 120 homestays are operating in the town area, along with 32 hotels, more than a dozen lodges, three guest houses, and over 50 tents providing accommodation facilities to tourists.

The Governor said that Munsyari offers a unique blend of tourism, culture, nature, and local livelihoods. The region’s homestays, local products, and women’s self-help groups are not only strengthening the rural economy but are also giving new recognition to Uttarakhand’s rich cultural heritage.

He further stated that such initiatives are creating new employment and self-employment opportunities for local youth and women, while enhancing Munsyari’s reputation as one of the country’s leading tourist destinations.
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