From correspondents in Delhi, India, 09:32 PM IST

The tourism ministry is planning to lay stress on adventure tourism in a major way, especially hot air ballooning and mountain biking.

At a recent review meeting of the various adventure tourism projects in the states, it was also decided that the Uttarakhand government would host the South Asian Winter Games in February 2009. Joint Secretary Leena Nandan chaired the meeting.

About eight countries will be participating in the event, a statement issued Friday said.

The Uttarakhand government has urged the central government to provide funds to upgrade the existing facilities in the hilly state.

The state will be soon submitting the proposal in this regard to the Ministry of Tourism, which is now focusing on promoting adventure tourism in the country.

Uttarakhand is also promoting events like ice-skating and skiing and has requested other states to take part in various programmes it has been organising.

'The state government will also be hosting an adventure tourism meet in December, for which the adventure tour operators and other state governments are invited,' the statement said.

It was felt that the Human Resource Development Ministry should be approached to make adventure tourism a part of the training programme and to use former servicemen as part of manpower development.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)