Dehradun, Nov. 20 -- Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday directed officials to expedite the preparation of a detailed roadmap for setting up a spiritual economic zone (SEZ) in each of Uttarakhand's two divisions, Garhwal and Kumaon. He said the initiative would play a pivotal role in positioning the state as a global spiritual, cultural and tourism hub. Chairing a high-level meeting at his residence, Dhami said the proposed zones would focus on preserving the state's religious, cultural and natural heritage while ensuring the holistic development of major pilgrimage sites and their surrounding areas. "The project would open up new avenues of employment and self-employment for local youth and give a considerable boost to the state's economy. The departments must begin work on the plan within the current fiscal year", he said. According to officials, the zones will also emphasise the promotion of yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, naturopathy, local handicrafts, mountain products and cultural events. Dhami said the initiative would further enrich the state's tourism landscape and strengthen its image as the "spiritual capital" of the country. Dhami also stressed the need to enhance winter travel arrangements and called for an aggressive promotion of the state's tourism potential, both within India and abroad, using traditional and modern platforms. The chief minister said, "The broader objective is to boost tourism, improve the standard of living for residents and ensure sustainable development while safeguarding Uttarakhand's natural and spiritual heritage". He directed officials to formulate a concrete implementation strategy and ensure close monitoring at every stage of the project. Tourism minister Satpal Maharaj joined the meeting virtually....