Chandigarh, September 29:  Haryana Chief Minister,  Sh. Manohar Lal said that Morni-Tikkar Taal will mark its own identity on the country's map.  Now the tourists passing through Haryana will be attracted to the exciting water and aero sports started at Tikkar Taal. 

He said that after Goa, water sports activities are being started in Tikkar Taal in North India. 

The Chief Minister said this while addressing a press conference today after launching exciting activities in Tikkar Taal and releasing the brochure of Home Stay, Farm Tourism and Bus Tour Package at Tikkar Taal, Morni Hills, Panchkula. 

Haryana Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Sh. Gian Chand Gupta, MP, Sh. Rattan Lal Kataria, Chairman, Haryana Tourism Corporation, Sh. Randhir Gollen was present on the occasion.

The Chief Minister said that all necessary arrangements would be made to promote tourism activities in Morni Tikkar Taal. This facility will increase further after completing the necessary formalities of licensing etc.  

Sh. Manohar Lal said that the facility of paragliding in Tikkar Taal would also be started soon, some formalities are yet to be completed, which would be completed soon.  

He further informed that an agreement has been signed with the company for organising hot balloon activity in Pinjore, which will also start soon.  

Work is being done to make arrangements for mobile connectivity, road connectivity and petrol pump etc. in the Morni-Tikkar Taal area added Sh. Manohar Lal. 

Water sports to be promoted in other places also

The Chief Minister said that there are plans to start water sports activities at many other places in the state.  Water sports activities can also be started in Brahma Sarovar, Kurukshetra, Karnal lake,  Karnal, Damdama lake, Tiliyar lake etc.

Local people will get employment through Home Stay and Farm Stay policy

The Chief Minister said that under the scheme to increase the employment opportunities for people in the Morni-Tikkar Taal area, a Home Stay Policy has been launched. With this Policy, the income of the people will increase as well as tourists will also get more facilities.  Besides this, plans have been made to promote farm tourism in this area, he added.  This will attract more and more tourists and they will be able to take the adventure of rural and hilly areas, said Sh. Manohar Lal. 

Water Pooling Policy soon

The Chief Minister said that a water pooling policy would be brought soon to solve the problem of waterlogging in some areas of the state.  Under this, lakes will be constructed in the areas where there is a problem of waterlogging, so that along with land reclamation, tourism can be promoted.

The share of tourism in the GDP of Haryana is less

The Chief Minister said that there is ample scope to promote tourism in Haryana.  So far, the share of tourism in the GDP of the state is only 0.3 per cent.  Haryana government is making continuous efforts to increase this.  The tourism department is also likely to work on PPP mode to recover some prime locations from losses.

Water to be made available from Renuka Kishau Dam soon

Replying to a question, the Chief Minister said that it would take time to complete the work of Renuka Kishau Dam.  Haryana is going to get a lot of benefits from the construction of this dam.  Right now there is some dispute between Uttarakhand and Himachal regarding the share of power generation, which those provinces have to resolve, he added. He said that  Haryana will get 40.7 per cent water with this. 

Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr Amit Agrawal, Principal Secretary, Tourism Department, Sh. M.D Sinha and other officers were present on this occasion.