Punjab's farm stay policy draws just 35 applications in 3 months

Punjab's Farm Stay Policy, launched in May to boost farmer income through rural tourism, has drawn only 35 applications in three months, with 21 approved. Mohali leads with 14 applications, followed by Ludhiana with four. The tepid response highlights limited awareness and complex approval processes as key hurdles. A tourism official said an awareness campaign will launch soon, while operators note the new policy requires clearances from multiple departments compared to the simpler 2008 version. The policy has also faced legal challenges before the National Green Tribunal, prompting the government to exclude forest and protected lands. Critics question the policy's commercial viability and demand transparency regarding land interests in environmentally sensitive areas.