Nature Conservation and Eco-Tourism Guide Training Begins Under Green Skill Development Programme
GB Pant National Institute of Environmental Ecology (EIACP Hub) launches a specialized skills initiative to promote rural livelihoods and sustainable tourism across Uttarakhand.
A specialized training programme titled "Nature Conservation-cum-Eco-Tourism Guide" has officially commenced under the Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) at the Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme (EIACP) Hub of the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment.
The initiative was inaugurated by the Institute's Director, Dr. I.D. Bhatt, who highlighted the operations of the institute's four core centers and five regional units. Encouraging the participants, he stressed the importance of balancing active environmental protection with sustainable livelihood enhancement.
Key Highlights and Expert Insights
The training program brings together domain experts to build capacity across modern agricultural techniques, sustainable architecture, and adventure tourism:
Scope of Green Skills: Er. M.S. Lodhi, Senior Scientist and EIACP Coordinator, outlined national-level GSDP activities and briefed trainees on ongoing initiatives in homestays, apiculture (beekeeping), hydroponics, and photography.
Government Support & Border Tourism: Chief Guest and Chief Development Officer (CDO) Ramji Sharan Sharma highlighted self-employment opportunities in tourism—particularly across border regions—and detailed available government schemes and financial aid.
Technical Sessions: Dr. Lalit Giri delivered a lecture on hydroponics techniques, while architect Er. Sachin Uniyal discussed traditional architectural materials used in Uttarakhand homes and their relevance to cultural tourism.
Livelihood Strategies: Darwan Bisht shared actionable insights into techniques for boosting rural income streams.
Programme Structure & Training Scope
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Participants | 20 trainees selected from various districts |
| Resource Persons | Approximately 50 domain experts sharing practical experience |
| Adventure & Eco-Skills | Paragliding, river rafting, and trekking guidance |
| Core Objective | Empower youth to establish self-employment ventures in their native villages and districts |
By equipping local youth with specialized skills in eco-tourism and adventure sports, the initiative aims to curb migration while fostering local stewardship over the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
