The Uttarakhand government has decided to set up an international eco-tourism hub around the 42 sq km area of the 2,400-Mw Tehri dam reservoir. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet presided over by Chief Minister BC Khanduri here last night.

 Under the scheme, the government has set up the Tehri Development Authority to develop the area as an eco-tourism hub. It also plans to introduce various forms of water sports in the vast lake that had formed due to the construction of the dam. A series of yoga centres would also be set up.

 To add more attraction to the area, gardens would be developed around the reservoir. A separate Budget provision in this regard would be made, Khanduri said.

The chief minister also announced a new Atal Behari Vajpayee Awas Yojyna under which the government would construct 10,000 houses for SCs/STs having income less than Rs 36,000 per annum. Under the programme, the government would spend Rs 36 crore (Rs 360 million) on the new housing project.

 He said the government had also decided to make a provision for freehold of nazool land where people holding less than 50 sq metre land would get the benefit.

 The government has also decided to give special training to artisans of the state to revive local arts that are vanishing fast. For this purpose, the training would be conducted in six ITIs.

 In a separate decision, the government has reduced tax on items like packed namkeen and photographic paper from 12 percent to 4 percent.