Why in the News?

• Recently, flight operations began from Pithoragarh's Naini-Saini airport after a gap of more than three years.

Key Points:

=> Following the resumption of flight operations, which was suspended in early 2020, aviation firm Flybig will operate a 19-seater aircraft between Dehradun and Pithoragargh thrice a week on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

=> Resumption of services from the airport, which will soon be extended to Pantnagar and then to Hindon airport in Ghaziabad, will be crucial for the strategically important border district.

=> According to Uttarakhand Chief Minister, air connectivity between Dehradun and Pithoragarh will give further boost to religious tourism in the Manaskhand region.

=> The Prime Minister's visit to Jolingkong for a darshan of the Adi Kailash peak and Jageshwar Dham had awakened the interest of tourists who have begun to visit the relatively lesser-known religious destinations in large numbers.

Adi Kailash Peak:

• Adi Kailash, also known as Shiva Kailash, Chota Kailash, Baba Kailash or Jonglingkong Peak, is a mountain located in the Himalayan mountain range in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand.

Jageshwar Dham:

• It is a Hindu pilgrimage town near Almora in Almora district of Uttarakhand.
• The site is protected under Indian laws, and managed by the Archaeological Survey of India.