| Seek CM's attention, amendment in JK tourist map | | People allege systematic neglect of Tourist spots of Kathua | |  Arun Trisal
Early Times Report
Machhedi/Kathua, June 21:- Supporting the allegations that successive governments have deliberately ignored the scenic beauty of many virgin places that have huge tourist interest, many places in Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Udhampur, Kathua and others districts of Jammu province including Machhedi and Basholi have breath taking scenic beauty, but have been ignored systematically.
People of Machhedi Tehsil district Kathua today staged protest demonstration wherein there compared Chuhu Kalan, seri Kalan, Bait, Forpul Kalan and many other such places to Gulmarg, Phalgham, Sonamarg, etc and appealed Chief Minister Mufti Md Sayeed to pay personal visit and view the scenic beauty of these remotest areas of district Kathua. They said area has tourist potential but has been politically victimized.
Mukhtiyar Ahmad, a local, said despite having more potential than famous tourist destinations such as Dalhousie, Mcleodganj, Sannasar, Sonamarg, Pehalgham etc, the area is still not included in tourist map of the state, depriving many an opportunities to the people, especially youth.
Taafeer Ahmad, a local said the area should be developed through Lakhanpur-Sarthal development authority or directly by tourism department but it needs special attention of state government. He said it should be promoted as other tourists places in J&K. Ahmad said people donated land for tourism office with the hope that their area would be promoted but nothing was done till day. The people sought special attention of state government and sought road connectivity for attracting tourists in the area.
It is relevant to mention here that there are several spots of great tourist potential in district Kathua like Bani, Basohli, Billawar etc which need due attention of state government for development.
When contacted to Director Tourism, Rajinder K Verma, ensured to present the matter before concerned minister and said that Lakhanpur- Sarthal development authority would take initiative, make estimate for development in the area.
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