Dharamshala, Feb. 2 -- The tourism and hospitality industry in Himachal Pradesh has lauded the budget announcement of developing ecologically sustainable mountain trails in the hill state. It would benefit the state and strengthen its position as a leading tourism destination, they said. Noting India's potential to offer world-class trekking and hiking experience, Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the budget on Sunday, said the government would develop ecologically sustainable mountain trails in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir; Araku Valley in the Eastern Ghats and Podhigai Malai in the Western Ghats. Ashwani Bamba, president of Hotel & Restaurant Association, Dharamshala, said, "Though the budget does not announce a separate state-specific tourism package, it strongly focuses on eco-tourism, adventure tourism, cultural circuits, skill development and connectivity, areas where Himachal Pradesh has a natural advantage. One of the key announcements in the Union Budget is the development of hiking trails and eco-tourism circuits in Himalayan states, including Himachal Pradesh. This initiative aims to promote sustainable and responsible tourism while encouraging visitors to explore lesser-known destinations." "The budget has also emphasized the development of Buddhist and cultural tourism circuits in the North East States, which will indirectly benefit areas such as Lahaul-Spiti and other culturally significant regions of HP," he said. Shimla Hotels and Tourism Stakeholders' Association president Mohinder Kumar Seth said, "If international-level mountain trails are established, they will definitely have a positive impact on tourism and attract more adventure seekers to the state. However, there is a need to improve railway connectivity to Himachal As there is no major airport in Himachal, the best alternative to increase tourist inflow is to bring broad-gauge connectivity to Himachal." Sanjeev Gandhi, spokesperson of the HP Congress Committee, said the Union Budget failed to address the tourism and infrastructure needs of hill states, particularly Himachal Pradesh. "It offers no concrete roadmap for strengthening connectivity or creating disaster-resilient infrastructure. Critical requirements such as road upgrade, construction of additional bridges and tunnels in flood-prone and landslide-vulnerable areas have been glaringly ignored," he said....