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| Jora says tourism in centive to continue for another 6-years | | |
Early Times Report
JAMMU, MARCH 05– Minister for Tourism Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora today informed the Legislative Council that the government very keen to develop Bangus Valley as an international tourist destination, for which a comprehensive master plan was in pipeline.
Replying to a question of Mr. Mohammad Sultan Panditpori and its supplementaries, the Minister said that the incentive scheme for Tourism infrastructure development, already in vogue in J&K would be extended for further six years and paying guest scheme would also be incorporated in the scheme to improve the tourism infrastructure in the State.
He said paying tourist guest concept, first launched in Leh, had proved successful and the same could also be practised in other parts of the State.
The Minister said that the Union Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned an amount of Rs. 2.31 crore for the development of Bangus Valley as a tourist destination. Under the scheme, various works have been taken up to make the tourist spot more attractive for both domestic as well as international tourists. Mr. Jora said the construction work on Guest Lodge, and improvement of tracks and trails have already been taken up for execution at Bangus tourist site. He said that a tourist lodge at Reshwari-Lawoosa has also been constructed at a cost of Rs 22 lakh, adding that the work on improvement of tracks and trails from Kushtwari to main Bangus Valley was carried out for 3.5 kms length for which an amount of Rs 3.79 lakhs has been incurred.
However, the Minister said that the construction work of Aram Gah and TIC could not be started as the Forest Department did not permit its construction on the forest land. He said that the work on these projects will also start after the issues are sorted out with the Forest Department.
Responding to another question raised by Mr. M. Y. Taing, the Tourism Minister said that all the major temples and other places of worship of Kashmiri Pandits in the Valley are well protected with round- the-clock static guards, adding that the temples which are not protected with static guards are protected by the local police of the area by effective patrolling.
Mr. Jora said that some temples are being looked after by local Pandit communities who have not migrated. He clarified that no encroachment on the places of worship have been reported from anywhere in the Valley.
Responding to the supplementaries raised by the Members, the Minister said that Khir Bhawani is being brought on the tourist map and Rs. 8 crores have been spent on the construction of additional accommodation for the pilgrims there. He said that Government is committed to protect the pilgrim places of Pandits in the Valley.
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