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| Govt failed to exploit tourism potential: Mir | | |
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Mar 25: Coming down heavily on National Conference (NC) led coalition regime for its failure to properly exploit the tourism potential in the J&K, Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) MLA from Pahalgam Rafi Ahmad Mir today said except for spending government exchequer on foreign tours and trips this regime has done nothing to attract tourists in the state.
Taking part in a debate on the grants of Tourism, Forestry and Wild Life departments in the Lower House here today, Mir pointed out that despite being back bone of the state's economy, this sector is neglected by the present dispensation headed by NC.
He especially mentioned that arranging foreign tours of Ministers especially in the European countries on government expenditure is the only noticeable efforts initiated by this government for attracting tourists.
Mir, however, said that despite huge expenditure of government exchequer this regime has failed even to convince embassies of the European countries not to forbid their countrymen from visiting Kashmir.
"What is fun of spending huge money on foreign trips of Ministers when European countries have issues advisories against visiting Kashmir?", he asked and added that instead of wasting huge amount on foreign trips of Ministers, government should exploit tourism potential of other places in the state also.
"We are happy that tourism potential has expanded beyond Kashmir and new areas like Ladakh, Mansar, Patnitop, Sanasar and Shiv Khori have been emerging as potential tourist destinations", he said and demanded that funds should be given on the basis of potential. He said that keeping in view the vast tourism potential in the Valley, Kashmir should be given adequate funds to exploit tourism. "Tourism has vast potential in Kashmir Valley so this region be given priority in funds allocation to develop new tourist destinations", he demanded and funds should be allocated in those areas where tourism has potential and there should not be political considerations in allotting funds.
Stressing on the regulation of number of yatries during Amarnath Yatra, Mir quoted Sen Gupta Committee report in which it was recommended to restrict number of pilgrims per day to avoid reoccurrence of 1996 tragedy when a large number of pilgrims had lost their lives due to hostile weather. "Regulation of number of yatries and period of Yatra should be done with consensus among all sections of the society", he said and added that ecological aspect should also be taken into consideration during Yatra period. He mentioned decision of the Uttaranchal Government which too has imposed certain restrictions on pilgrims.
Mir regretted that in the name of development, authorities have been blatantly violating rules and regulations. He especially mentioned towards mushrooming of concrete structures in Pahalgam and adjoining localities despite being the fact such constructions were banned under master plan.
"The master plans are being violated at every place and government does not have time to see implementation of its own decisions", he pointed out and drew attention of the House towards death of black beer, who according to the Wild Life experts died due to starvation. Concrete structures being developed in the areas which have been considered as habitats of wild animal.
PDP MLA stressed on the need of implementation of Tourist Trade Act. Furthermore he demanded that new tourist destinations in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh should be taken carefully.
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