India, Feb. 12 -- The Chamoli disaster couldaffect tourism and economy, already battered by COVID-19 pandemic

Most people I talked to during the country-wide lockdown enforced to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) reminisced about the times when they could travel freely. My Facebook feed kept throwing up memories from their trips across the country.

Many of these were from Uttarakhand, which is the closest tourist destination from the national capital. The state also has popular hill stations such as Mussoorie and Nainital. There are also trekking spots such as Nanda Devi Biosphere reserve, the Valley of Flowers and Auli. Places like Badrinath temple and Shri Hemkund Sahib are popular religious destinations.

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