Budget 2026: FM Sitharaman Unveils Eco-Friendly Trekking Trails, Tourism Boost

• FM Sitharaman announced the development of ecologically sustainable trekking and hiking trails across mountain regions in India.
• Trails will be built in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Araku Valley (Eastern Ghats), and Podhigai Malai (Western Ghats).
• New initiatives include "Turtle Trails" in coastal Odisha, Karnataka, Kerala, and bird watching trails at Pulikat Lake (Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu).
• The government aims to boost tourism through medical, heritage, and cultural tourism, including five Regional Medical Hubs.
• 15 archaeological sites like Lothal, Dholavira, Sarnath, and Buddhist Circuits in Northeast states will be developed for cultural tourism.

Why It Matters: Budget 2026 focuses on sustainable tourism development, enhancing trekking, coastal, and cultural experiences nationwide.