CM launches Champawat Saras Corbett Mahotsav
my uttarakhand news Bureau
Dehradun, 18 Feb: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the ‘Champawat Saras Corbett Mahotsav–2026’ virtually from the Camp Office here today. On this occasion, he declared that the festival embodies the mantra of ‘Development as well as Heritage.’ He said every household in Champawat is filled with enthusiasm and joy, particularly with Holi approaching and emphasised that the Holi of Kali Kumaon holds a unique cultural identity across India with its rare blend of Baithki Holi, Khadi Holi, Chauphula, traditional rhythms, and folk culture.
Dhami described Champawat as a sacred land of history, spirituality and culture, noting that the Mahotsav is not merely a seven-day event but a vibrant celebration of Uttarakhand’s cultural dignity, natural beauty, women’s strength, youth energy, and the resolve for self-reliance. This year, the festival is also being organised as the ‘Winter Corbett Festival’ to provide fresh momentum to winter tourism.
The CM highlighted adventure activities such as paragliding, mountain biking, hot air ballooning, river rafting, paramotoring, bird watching, and trekking, which aim to establish Champawat as a national hub for adventure tourism. He expressed confidence that these initiatives would generate employment for the youth. Recalling Jim Corbett’s legacy, Dhami said the Champawat-Lohaghat region had gained global recognition after Corbett eliminated a man-eating tigress in 1907, saving hundreds of lives and inspiring wildlife conservation.
The CM said the festival’s multi-dimensional character is enriched by workshops on Madhubani painting and modern art, quiz competitions, science exhibitions, folk programmes and awareness drives. He added that a food festival will showcase traditional cuisines, acquainting the younger generation with their culinary heritage while boosting local producers’ income. He also stressed that this initiative strengthens the spirit of ‘Vocal for Local’ and paves the way for ‘Local for Global’.
Dhami also outlined ongoing developmental projects aimed at making Champawat an ideal district. He reminded that a 50-bed Critical Care Block is being built at the District Hospital at a cost of Rs 20 crore. Multi-storey parking facilities are under construction to ease traffic congestion, while road strengthening continues. Under the Manaskhand Mandir Mala Mission, development work is underway at Devidhura Varahi Temple, and a ropeway for Maa Purnagiri Temple is being built at a cost of Rs 45 crore. The CM added that the Sharda Corridor project will develop the Sharda River Front from Tanakpur to Banbasa, connecting major religious and tourist sites such as Maa Purnagiri Dham, Chuka, Shyamlatal, and Sharda Ghat.
He added that a Wayside Amenities Centre has been constructed in Champawat, while the Chuka area is being developed as a wedding destination. The Amodi Primary Health Centre has been built, and a marketing centre for the ‘House of Himalayas’ has been established in Amodi. Road reconstruction from Sukhidhang to Dadaminar and a span arch bridge between Hanumangarhi and Khetkhera have also been completed.
Dhami added that a span arch bridge is being built on the Tanakpur-Jauljibi road at a cost of Rs 55 crore, with road improvement works worth Rs 33 crore in progress. A Dry Port on the Indo-Nepal border costing Rs 177 crore will strengthen the regional economy, while a Science Centre worth Rs 57 crore is being constructed to encourage innovation.
He remarked that the list of development works is extensive and cannot be fully detailed, but reiterated his resolve to make Champawat an ideal district. He assured that the government is committed to balancing development with heritage, protecting the state’s identity, culture, and social harmony. With the mantra of “Development as well as Heritage”, he expressed confidence that the cooperation of Champawat’s people will be crucial in realising this vision.
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