Jammu,Kashmir & Ladakh be promoted with their unique distinctiveness on world tourism canvas

           Srinagar, August 22 (Vijay Kumar) – J&K Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora said on Saturday that all the three regions of the State i.e. Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh would be showcased with unique distinctiveness on the world tourism canvas.

In J&K Legislative Assembly, Mr Jora was replying the debate on demand of grants for departments under his charge. The Legislative Assembly today passed grants amounting to Rs 17297.16 lakh for the departments of Tourism and Culture. The demand for grants was moved by the Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora. He apprised the House about various measures taken by the government to exploit the tourism potential of the State optimally. He said the year 2010 has been declared as J&K visit year at International level to showcase State’s varied tourism potential at the global level. He said there was a dire need for synergy and coordination among various departments and development agencies for exploiting tourism potential up to the desired level.

The Minister announced that a motor rally to kick start tourism promotion in Rajouri and Poonch districts would be organize next year adding that the banner of the campaign would be “In the footsteps of Mughals”. He said under the campaign all heritage places of Mughal period including Mughal Sarain and Noori Chamb would be showcased in an organized manner.

            The Minister said that aero sports is being introduced in Surinsar and Kishtwar in Jammu in a big way owing to great potential for it in these areas. In addition, adventure tourism like river rafting and para-gliding has a great scope in Kishtwar and Bhaderwah adding that water sports clubs would be set up in Dul Hasti and Pull Doda. He said white water rafting championship would be also organized in river Kishan Ganga shortly.

  Mr Jora said efforts are being made to divert 72 lakh Vaishno Devi pilgrim tourists, which is our captive market, towards other scenic spots like Bhaderwah-Patnitop, Rajouri and Poonch. He said for the purpose upgradation of basic tourism infrastructure has been set into motion.

           He said that to develop Mantalai in Jammu as a major tourist attraction place, an ambitious Rs 25 crore projects has been submitted to the Union Government for approval. He said tourism potential in Ladakh popularly known as moon land, will also be exploited fully in the coming years. He said three tourist circuits were sanctioned at a cost of Rs 21.78 crore which includes Jammu-Lakhanpur-Basohli-Bani-Sarthal, Bhadereah-Kishtwar-Simthan-Srinagar and Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch. He said the Centre has released so far Rs 17.42 crore for development of these circuits and by t he end of this year Rs 7.81 crore stand expended for development of various tourism related infrastructure under these circuits

            The Minister said that virgin tourism potential spots in the state particularly in Kashmir Valley would be brought on the tourism canvas for which 19 tourism development authorities have been set up. He said Golf has merged as a major tourism attraction at the global level and the State government has decided to develop a chain of world standard golf courses in the State including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Srinagar Sonamarg and Sidhra Jammu to attract foreign golfers to visit the State. He said an international golf tournament would be organized in near future.

            In all 18 Members took part in the debate on demand of grants which include Mr. Rafi Ahmad Mir, Mr. Saifullah Mir, Mr. Harshdev Singh, Mr. Vakar Rasool, Mr. Naizam-ud-Din Bhat, Mr. Abdul Rashid Sheikh, Ch. Mohammad Ramzan, Mr. Ashwani Sharma, Mr. Abdul Haq Khan, Mr. Yash Paul Singh, Dr. Mohammad Shafi, Mr. Krishan Chander Bhagat, Mr. Zulifikar Ali, Syed Basharat Bukhari, Mr. Abdul Majid Wani, Mr. A.R. Veeri, Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Ganai and Syed Bashir Ahmad. They gave their suggestion for promotion of tourism in their respective areas.

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