New Tourism destinations

Lolab, Bangus, Drangyari open new vistas of tourism

Bringing of Lolab, Bangus, Drangyari on the tourism map would open new vistas of tourism activities in the State and help to boost the local economy and provide a healthy environment for tourism trade in Kupwara district, which has been conferred a status of Tourism Development Authority.

The views were expressed by the Tourism and Culture Minister, Nawang Rigzin Jora while chairing maiden meeting of the Authority members held here on Thursday.

Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, Nasir Aslam Wani, who was also Vice Chairman of LBDDA was present in the meeting.

Mr Jora said creation of tourism related infrastructure at these destinations would remain priority. He said this fiscal year Rs one crore under State sector is being expended on creation of varied infrastructure in these destinations, adding the Government would soon submit Rs 5 crore project for creation of modern tourist facilities at Lolab and Drangyari spots to the Centre for approval. He directed the concerned authorities to formulate more projects reports for approval of the Centre under central schemes so that holistic tourism infrastructure building would be ensured in the area.

Legislators of Kupwara district, Ch Mohammad Ramzan, Haq Nawaz, Er. Abdul Rashid, Commissioner/Secretary Tourism, Atul Duloo, Director Tourism Kashmir, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Director General Finance, Mangotra, Special Secretary Tourism, Altaf Ahmad, Additional Dostrict Development Commissioner Kupwara, Itrat Hussain, Chief Executive Officer LBDDA, Mr Mohammad Yasin, besides senior officers of Forest, PHE, R&B, PDD were among others attended the meeting.

The meeting deliberated upon the modalities, jurisdiction and infrastructure development under the Authority.

The legislators gave their view points and suggestions for exploring fully the tourism potential of their areas.

Mr Jora assured the legislators that focused attention would be given for promotion of tourism activities in all potential areas of the district in a phased manner, adding the matters like upgradation of road connectivity, electricity and drinking water facilities, besides land acquisition and forest matters would be taken up with concerned Ministries to solve impediments confronting for creation of tourism infrastructure facilities in the area.