To promote eco-tourism, Himachal Pradesh Tuesday decided to develop camping sites in the picturesque Sangla Valley in Kinnaur district.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal asked the state-run Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corp. to set up tourism-cum-nature camps in Sangla, an official statement said here.

For this, the HPTDC would establish pre-fabricated tourist huts. 'This would give a boost to eco-tourism in the tribal area in a big way,' said Dhumal, who holds the tourism.

He said Sangla, close to the China border, was emerging as a preferred destination for nature lovers.

Located some 275 km from state capital Shimla, it nestles amid virgin nature, with abundant wildlife and exquisite flora and fauna.

Tourism is an important contributor to Himachal Pradesh's economic development. Last year, 1.32 crore tourists, including 454,851 foreign nationals, visited the state.