The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has expressed his desire to develop the central state of Mandi into an eco tourism zone.
Thakur declared that the state government is already working to develop new tourist centers in the district and that he would leave no stone unturned to procure funds from the central government for fulfillment of his plans.
Mandi though not as famous outside Himachal as Manali, McLeod Ganj or Shimla has great potential for development of tourism. The district has varied topography containing peaks that are snow covered round the year and lush green meadows; it is also more accessible by road and has the heritage Jogindernagar- Patahnkot narrow gauge rail line as another tourist attraction. Mandi is also a popular trekking destination as well. Apart from this it is also an important center for religious point of view containing several pilgrimage sites and famous temples. The district headquarter Mandi city is a temple town boasting of 81 temples majority of them dedicated to Lord Shiva.
