Nainital, June 5, 2026: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday dedicated 13 development projects valued at Rs 96.71 crore to the Nainital district, inaugurating six schemes worth Rs 67 crore and laying the foundation stone for seven projects totalling Rs 29.71 crore.
The visit included a series of targeted announcements for Bhimtal aimed at accelerating local development and curbing migration.
Major announcements for Bhimtal and surrounding areas
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Multipurpose building in Bhimtal: A new facility will be constructed to serve the needs of ex‑servicemen and local traders.
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Temple inclusion: Bhemeshwar and Okhalakanda Pashupatinath temples will be brought under the Temple Mala Mission to boost infrastructure and pilgrim services.
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Road upgrades: Plans include completion of the Odhakhan–Mukuteshwar motor route, alignment of jeep tracks, and expedited operationalisation of the Ramgarh sub‑tehsil.
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Authority issues: A high‑level committee will be formed to resolve administrative and jurisdictional problems affecting the region.
Chief Minister links development with environment
Addressing the gathering, Dhami extended World Environment Day greetings and stressed that the district’s lakes, forests and mountains are both a source of pride and a responsibility. He urged citizens to reflect on the legacy they will leave for future generations and to choose clean rivers, green forests and healthy air over pollution and ecological decline.
Dhami underscored Uttarakhand’s cultural tradition of revering nature and noted that climate change is no longer an abstract concern but a lived reality. He warned that shifting weather patterns, shrinking water sources and melting glaciers threaten agriculture, biodiversity and the state’s tourism‑dependent economy, making environmental protection imperative.
Linking national mission to local action
Referring to national initiatives, the chief minister praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push to combine development with conservation and described the One Tree in Mother’s Name campaign as a people’s movement rather than a mere government program. He appealed to every household to plant and nurture at least one tree in their mother’s name, calling on citizens to revive the spirit of movements such as Chipko that historically protected the Himalaya’s forests.
Ongoing environmental and disaster‑resilience measures
Dhami highlighted the state government’s work on water conservation, source rejuvenation, river protection, afforestation, wildlife conservation and green energy. He noted Uttarakhand’s pioneering adoption of the Gross Environmental Product concept, reflecting policy that values forests, water and biodiversity alongside economic growth. He also appealed to residents to act against forest fires and report any signs of burning immediately.
Development focus for remote populations
The chief minister reiterated that government policy seeks to extend development to the state’s most remote households. Given Nainital’s terrain, he said education, healthcare and road connectivity remain top priorities for the administration.
Local leaders and ceremony
The event began with the chief minister offering prayers at the Hanuman temple in Ramleela Maidan. Cabinet Minister Ramsingh Kaida welcomed Dhami and reviewed recent developmental activities in the Bhimtal constituency. Senior officials and local dignitaries present included District Panchayat Chairperson Deepa Darmawal, MLA Sarita Arya, State Minister Dr. Anil Kapoor Dabbu, MP Dhruv Routela, Bhimtal Municipal Chairperson Seema Tamta, Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat, District Magistrate Lalit Mohan Rayal, Kumaon University Vice Chancellor Diwan Singh Rawat and CDO Arvind Kumar Pandey. A large number of local residents attended.
Why this matters
The combination of infrastructure investment, administrative fixes and strong environmental messaging aims to strengthen local livelihoods, improve service delivery and preserve the ecological assets that underpin tourism and agriculture in the Nainital region. Officials said project implementation and the high‑level committee’s recommendations will be monitored closely to ensure timely results.
