The Indian State of Himachal Pradesh’s plans to become a flourishing health tourism center has not proved to be a success.
The Indian State of Himachal Pradesh's plans to become a flourishing health tourism center has not proved to be a success. There were plans to take advantage of its sylvan settings and its 'panchkarma' ayurvedic cure system and establish a healthcare hub similar to that which came into being in yet another Indian state, namely Kerala.
Four years ago, the Central Health Ministry sanctioned around Rs.12.5 million to the state to start the ayurvedic health rejuvenating therapy in the state-run chain of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corp (HPTDC) hotels. But the State Government spent less than half this amount in three of the four HPTDC hotels in the last four years.New Delhi has now asked the State Government to return the unspent Rs.7.3 million.Despite widespread publicity, the 'panchkarma' therapy has failed to draw tourists. The Ayurveda Department blames shortage of experts for the failure.
Edited (IANS)
