Shimla, Nov.26 : Considering the demand for local guides among domestic and international tourists visiting Himachal Pradesh for adventure sports, an eight-day training course was held here recently to prepare the local youth for this job.

Organised by the Directorate of Mountaineering and Allied sports supported by Department of tourism in Narkanda in Shimla between Nov.14 to 21, the camp attracted many local youngsters from rural parts.

Over 30 youth from the nearby villages were imparted training during the courses that were arranged and organized at different adventure destinations like Lahul-Spiti, Manali and Narkanda.

The programme was organised with the aim to involve unemployed youth in tourism which can help them to be self-reliant, explore adventure destinations and promote tourism in the region, said Rajeev Sharma, Deputy Director Mountaineering Allied Sports Himachal Pradesh.

“We need some good guides to inform the tourists who come here to the mountains for participation in different type of training and the river crossing or going to the high altitude tracks. The course was meant especially for the youth who have undergone the  basic and advanced mountaineering courses,” said Rajeev Sharma, Deputy Director Mountaineering Allied Sports Himachal Pradesh.

Boys and girls from village schools, colleges and cadets of the NCC (National Cadet  Corps) attended the training camp.      

"This course has been conducted by the Government free of cost. It has been especially organised for the people who have some interest in it," said Neeraj, a participant.

"We can adopt the profession of a guide. If we are trained, we can give good training to the tourists, who come here from Delhi, Mumbai or other places," said Ajay Kenthla, another participant.

Himachal Pradesh attracts a large number of tourists from all across the world with its hills, rocks, snow clad mountains, dense oak and cedar forests, water sources and adventure sports. (ANI)