In a major push to strengthen wellness tourism, Uttarakhand is set to establish its first dedicated Naturopathy Hospitals. Designed on the lines of luxury resorts, these facilities will focus on treating patients through natural therapies without the use of conventional medicines.
AYUSH Department Identifies Sites in Three Districts
The state’s AYUSH Department has already identified land in Champawat and Pithoragarh districts, while the search is underway in Bageshwar. Specifically, authorities have finalised land parcels at Balwakot in Pithoragarh and Koli Dhek in Champawat as part of the first phase of the project.
Integrating AYUSH with Tourism Development
According to government sources, the initiative forms a key component of the state’s strategy to integrate AYUSH—Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy—with Uttarakhand’s rapidly growing tourism sector. Through this approach, the government aims to position the state as a premier destination for holistic health and wellness.
State to Seek Central Funding Under AYUSH Mission
Confirming the development, State Minister for Medical Education and Health Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat said the AYUSH Department is currently formulating a detailed proposal for the project. He added that the state will soon approach the Central Government for financial assistance. Under the AYUSH Mission, the Centre is expected to extend funding support for setting up these Naturopathy Hospitals.
Natural Therapies at the Core of Treatment
Naturopathy focuses on identifying and treating the root cause of illness while promoting overall well-being rather than merely addressing symptoms. Accordingly, the proposed hospitals will offer treatments based on natural methods such as herbal remedies, customised diets, yoga, massage, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and other non-invasive therapies.
Comprehensive Wellness Facilities Planned
As reported by New Indian Express, in addition, the hospitals will provide a wide range of wellness services, including diet and nutrition counselling, mud therapy, sun therapy, structured exercise programmes, and mind-body healing therapies. These facilities aim to deliver a holistic healing experience in a serene, resort-like environment.
Resort-Style Centres to Drive Wellness Tourism
AYUSH Department Secretary Deependra Chaudhary explained that the first phase involves establishing these hospitals in three districts. He noted that the facilities will combine superior accommodation with natural medical treatments, thereby significantly enhancing wellness tourism across Uttarakhand.
Shift in Central Policy Supports New Model
Meanwhile, this initiative follows a strategic policy shift at the central level. Although the Central Government had launched the ‘AYUSH Village’ scheme last year to develop one such village in every district of Uttarakhand, officials confirmed that the scheme has since been discontinued. Instead, the Centre will now provide financial support specifically for constructing Naturopathy Hospitals. Consequently, the state AYUSH Department is preparing a comprehensive proposal to access this new funding support.