Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced new Spiritual Economic Zones to boost tourism and create more jobs for local youth. The state shared this plan at an international conference in Nainital. Dhami said the zones will come up in both the Garhwal and Kumaon regions. They will focus on yoga, Ayurveda, meditation, and spiritual tourism. The aim is to bring more visitors and expand local businesses.
These zones also support the state’s first Yoga Policy, which Dhami launched on International Yoga Day. The policy wants to make Uttarakhand a global yoga and wellness centre. It offers subsidies of up to ₹20 lakh for yoga and meditation centres. It also provides grants of up to ₹10 lakh for research in yoga and wellness.
Dhami believes these projects will help reduce migration from hill areas. When tourism grows, local families get more work and more income. He said young people can stay in their villages if they find good opportunities near home.
The government also plans to build modern wellness towns in both regions. These towns will welcome global yoga teachers, wellness experts, and spiritual leaders. The new zones will give tourism a new direction and support long-term economic growth.
