International Rafting Championship open at Sonamarg in Kashmir

Srinagar, August 5 (Vijay Kumar) – J&K Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah ON Wednesday highlighted the unlimited potential of Jammu and Kashmir in adventure tourism adding that state is none to second in the world in this category. Five foreign teams from Newzeland, Czechoslovakia, Canada, Nepal, Singapore, eight national and twelve state teams are participating in the Rafting  championship.

While declaring 2nd Kashmir Cup International Rafting Championship open at Sonamarg today about 100 kms from Srinagar,Omar said“While Almighty has bestowed upon the state His blessings in the shape of un-parallel natural beauty and scenic splendor, Jammu and Kashmir is the best destination for varied tourist interests”. He laid emphasis on showcasing state’s this potential globally. He said besides conventional tourism Jammu and Kashmir offers a grand mix of cultural, pilgrim, adventures and other forms of tourism activities.

Omar said that there has been a sea change in the situation since 90s and the atmosphere is highly conducive to promote tourism of all categories. He said that the perception about the situation in the state has to be re-written and the mindset among the foreign tourists changed in positive direction.

He said that tourism offers greater employment opportunities and generates wide economic activities, as such, demands focused attention for integrated development. “While steps have to be taken to encourage and promote conventional tourism, the skiing, river rafting, mountaineering, mountain biking and other adventure tourism need to be properly showcased and encouraged in the state”, he maintained.

The Chief Minister welcoming the foreign rafters who are taking part in the championship asked them to be the brand ambassadors of the state’s natural beauty, adventure tourism and hospitality. “We are indeed encouraged to see you here in such a great number and expect you to act as brand ambassadors of the state’s unique tourism potential and hospitality of the people”, he said and asked them to come again in winter and enjoy the world class skiing at Gulmarg offering the best snow powder for skiers.

Mr. Abdullah said that National River Rafting in River Chenab is also in the offing to promote adventure tourism in Jammu division which is premier in the pilgrim tourism. “We are making a comprehensive planning to develop the tourism in all the regions of the state and create numerous economic activities for the people to earn livelihood, and progress”, he said. 

Referring to the infrastructure development in Sonamarg, Mr. Omar said that government would take all measures to develop this important tourist place. “Steps would be taken to make the tourism activities in the area employment generating for the locals so that the inhabitants of the area get best advantage of the government measures”.

Welcoming the large number of media persons who had come to cover the event, Chief Minister asked them to prominently report all good news from the state and help remove the perception about the situation in Jammu and Kashmir from the minds of tourists.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister for Forest and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmad identified areas which require the attention of the tourism department to focus for the development of tourism. He said the infrastructure development in Sonamarg should be carried out keeping in view the economic benefits to the locals. “Locals should be involved and encouraged to be active partners in the tourism promotion”, he said and added that modification to Sonamarg development plan is required to make it more comprehensive.

The Minister for Tourism, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora thanked the Chief Minister for declaring the championship open and said that measures were afoot to realize the vision of the young and dynamic Chief Minister, Mr. Omar to develop tourism and showcase state’s varied tourism potential globally. He said the development of Sonamarg area will be carried forward keeping in view the benefits of the people residing here as identified by the Minister for Forests.

Mr. Jora gave a resume of the measures Tourism Department is taking to promote tourism activities in all the three regions of the state.

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