In a major push to transform Dehra constituency into a hub of integrated development and eco-tourism, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for six major infrastructure projects worth nearly ₹100 crore in Kangra district. With this, the Chief Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to inclusive growth, sustainable tourism, and the upliftment of local economies.
Among the key projects dedicated to the public was the ₹4.96 crore Community Health Centre (CHC) at Haripur, aimed at strengthening healthcare access in the region. In addition, he laid the foundation stone for the Administrative and Diagnostic Block of the hospital, along with a food commissary and quarantine facilities at the ambitious Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park — an international-level eco-tourism project being built at Bankhandi.
The park, envisioned as one of India’s most advanced zoological reserves, will be a landmark initiative blending wildlife conservation, tourism, and climate resilience. With an estimated outlay of ₹619 crore, the Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park is already witnessing rapid progress, with 90% of the boundary wall and multiple rainwater harvesting check dams completed. The first phase alone, costing ₹150 crore, includes 43 enclosures designed to global standards.
CM Sukhu stressed that this park is not just about tourism but about sustainable infrastructure development. The facility will showcase 78 species, including the Asiatic lion, hog deer, crocodile, monitor lizard, and ghariyal. The inclusion of a wetland aviary dedicated to native bird species underscores the park’s ecological vision. The ₹16.25 crore Lift Water Supply Scheme will support the park’s environmental needs and operational efficiency.
The Chief Minister also launched several road development projects to enhance connectivity in remote regions of Dehra. These include upgrades to Haripur–Sakri Ghera road, Thathar Tripal–Mehwa Panchayat road, and Guler–Nandpur Barial Ludret road, totaling an investment of nearly ₹30 crore.
During his visit, CM Sukhu inspected ongoing works at the zoo site, issuing strict instructions to accelerate timelines without compromising on quality or ecological balance. He reaffirmed that the project will become a beacon for sustainable tourism and a driver of local employment, offering job and self-employment opportunities for thousands of youth in the region.
Positioning Kangra as the future “Tourism Capital of Himachal Pradesh,” CM Sukhu emphasized that the state’s development model must combine natural heritage with modern planning. With its verdant landscapes, state-of-the-art facilities, and commitment to ecological preservation, Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park is set to redefine eco-tourism in India.
#HimachalTourism #CMThakurSukhvinderSinghSukhu #DurgeshAranyaZoo #DehraDevelopment #KangraTransformation #EcoTourismIndia #WildlifeConservation
This is a web-generated news report.
