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| Frame plan on development of new tourist resorts ? | | |
Now that the spring season is on its last
leg and the summer season is to come
soon has the coalition Government initiated measures for attracting tourists to Jammu and Kashmir ?If the Government claims that meaures have been taken in hand for creating an atmosphere which was conducive for a bumper tourist traffic to Kashmir its seems to be a false claim. Yes, creating an atmosphere which was free from militancy related violence was necessary for ensuring heavy tourist traffic to the state because the events that took place during the last 20 years,which had hit tourist traffic to Kashmir, should make the Governmentiser than before. First of all steps need to be taken to ensure that no part of the state witnessed civilian strife of the magnitude that had hit Kashmir valley in the summer of 2010 in which 120 people lost their lives in police firing.Over the years it has been seen that even one incident of gun or grenade attack has the pot ential of destabilising tourist season to Jammu and Kashmir.A peaceful summer is sure to attract tourists to Kashmir and this is evident from the last year's figures of tourist arrivals.Last year about 10 lakh tourists visited Kashmir.Over three lakh pilgrims visited the mountain cave at Amarnath and about one one crore pilgrims making it to Vaishno Devi Shrine.Hence its would be better for the top functionaries of the police,paramilitary forces and the A|rmy to upgrade the security grid within the state and on the LOC and the IB. Apart from upgrading the security apparatus the Government needs to develop new tourist resorts.Surprisingly during the last 20 years or so not a single new tourist resort,whether in Jammu or in Kashmir,has been developed and thrown open for tourists.For about two decades the Government has been talking about development of Gurez as a tourist resort in Kashmir.It has not been done.In fact the Government seems to be unaware of the modalities that were needed for developing new tourist resorts.In doing so first task was to develop the road connectivity between the new tourist resort and Srinagar and Jammu.
Hitherto, nothing on this side has been done. Had the Government developed tourist destinations in Jammu region,including the Mansar and Surinsar lakes,Patnitop,Sudh Mahadev, Mantalai and oher hilld resorts like Kishtwar, Bhaderwah,a large number of one crore pilgrims visiting Vainsho Devi per year could have been motivated to visit these tourist sites.It has not been done.
For about a century the state has been showcasing much frequented resorts to the tourists and among them are included Pahalgam , Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Kokernag, Achabal, Verinag, Dal and Nigin Lakes besides the Mughal gardens. Strangely even these resorts that are being frequented by tourists have not tasted any major development.
Hence the Government's plan to extend the tourist season from 90 days to at least nine months has fizzled out.Yes,there has been some improvement in winter tourissm which has been possible because of winter sports at Gulmarg. Experts believe that Patnitop, which also has the potential of promoting winter tourism,has not witnessed facelift and development on the pattern Gulmarg has registered.
For the last several years the state Government has been dishing out its plan on having cable car and other skiing projects at Patnitop but no such plan has been executed so far.Since the Shrine of Vaishno Devi attracts large groups of pilgrims during the winter season the winter sports at Patnitop could attract part of the pilgrim traffic to the tourist resort.
Experts are of the opinon that even if 10 per cent of the total pilgrim traffic to Vaishno Devi is motivated to visit tourist spots, including Patnitop and its adjoining areas, it would give a new boost to the state's economy and ensure better means of livelihood to seve ral thousand families in Jammu,Katra,Patnitop,Sudh Mahadev and Mantalai. Hence it is mandatory for th Government to frame a comprehensive plan on development of new tourist sites in Jammu and Kashmir so that more and more tourists and pilgrims make it to the state. |
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