Prime Highlights:
- Uttarakhand is opening its first Naturopathy Hospitals, designed like luxury resorts, offering natural treatments without conventional medicines.
- The initiative aims to promote wellness tourism while improving overall health using holistic therapies like yoga, herbal remedies, and mind-body programs.
Key Facts:
- Land has been finalized in Balwakot (Pithoragarh) and Koli Dhek (Champawat) for the first phase of the hospitals.
- Treatments will include herbal remedies, yoga, special diets, massages, water therapy, acupuncture, mud and sun therapy, along with diet and exercise guidance.
Background:
Uttarakhand will soon open its first Naturopathy Hospitals to boost wellness tourism. The centers will be like luxury resorts and will use natural treatments instead of regular medicines.
The state’s AYUSH Department has chosen land in Champawat and Pithoragarh for these hospitals, while sites in Bageshwar are still being considered. Land in Balwakot (Pithoragarh) and Koli Dhek (Champawat) has been finalized for the first phase.
Naturopathy focuses on treating the cause of illnesses and keeping people healthy. The hospitals will offer herbal remedies, yoga, special diets, massages, water therapy, acupuncture, mud and sun therapy, and mind-body wellness programs. They will also provide diet advice and personalized exercise plans.
Deependra Chaudhary, Secretary of the AYUSH Department, highlighted the vision for the new facilities. “The first phase will see the establishment of these hospitals in three districts. These centers will be developed like resorts, combining high-quality accommodation with natural health treatments. This initiative will give a significant boost to wellness tourism in Uttarakhand,” he said.
The move comes after a strategic change at the national level. The Central Government had earlier launched the ‘AYUSH Village’ scheme under the AYUSH Mission to develop one village per district. However, the program has been discontinued and replaced with direct financial support for the Naturopathy Hospital construction. The state is currently preparing a detailed proposal to secure this funding.
Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, State Minister for Medical Education and Health, confirmed the initiative. “The AYUSH Department is drafting a proposal to open these hospitals, and we will soon submit it to the Central Government for financial assistance under the AYUSH Mission,” he said.
With these developments, Uttarakhand aims to position itself as a leading destination for wellness tourism while promoting holistic health practices across the state.
