Following a recent bureaucratic reorganization by the Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Mr. Dheeraj Singh Garbyal, a distinguished 2009-batch IAS officer, has been named the new Secretary, Tourism and Chief Executive Officer of the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board.
Mr. Garbyal brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Before this appointment, he was serving as the Secretary of the Minority Welfare Department.
A native of Uttarakhand, Mr. Garbyal’s career has been marked by a series of significant assignments closely connected to tourism development and administration. His notable past roles include serving as District Magistrate and District Collector for the prominent tourist districts of Nainital and Haridwar, as well as holding the position of Managing Director of Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited.
Mr. Garbyal succeeds Mr. Sachin Kurve, IAS, in a leadership change that comes as the Uttarakhand government intensifies its focus on the smooth execution of the ongoing Char Dham Yatra. The 2025 pilgrimage season, which commenced in late April and is slated to end in the first week of November, saw a decline in tourist numbers during its initial stages. This was a situation largely attributed to geopolitical tensions along the Indo-Pak border and severe weather conditions in the Himalayan region, which have been aggravated by climate change. According to a senior regional journalist, Mr. Garbyal’s prior experience in the area and his profound exposure to the tourism sector are expected to provide him with the strength needed to manage these challenges. The journalist further revealed that Mr. Kurve’s removal was anticipated, citing his reportedly unapproachable administrative style that drew complaints from regional leaders, journalists, and officials, and was a concern for the yatra’s overall success. These complaints were reportedly brought to the attention of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami
