Multi-pronged strategy on anvil to promote Adventure Sports in the State: Minister for Tourism and Culture

Srinagar, June 05 – Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora has said that J&K is an adventure Sport’s Lovers Paradise and Government would formulate a multi-pronged strategy in which sports like rafting, rock climbing, mountaineering, skating besides winter sports will be promoted in a big way.

Mr. Jora said this during his tour of Kishtwar today while taking stock of various ongoing developmental projects being executed under Kishtwar Tourism Development Authority at a total cost of Rs 5.52 crore.
Member Legislative Assembly, Inderwal, Mr. G. M. Saroori, District Development Commissioner, Kishtwar, Director Tourism Jammu, Chief Executive Officer, Kishtwar Development Authority and other senior officers accompanied the Minister.

The Minister said creation of integrated facilities at various tourist spots in Kishtwar like Tourist Reception Centres, Guest Houses, Clubs, View Decks, Recreation Parks, Landscaping, Water Sports, Camping sites and other paraphernalia is imperative for attracting tourists to the tourist destinations of the area.

The Minister inspected the pace of construction of Tourist Reception Centre and Amphitheater at Kishtwar being completed at a total cost of Rs 2.55 crore. He also inspected the pace of under execution wok of Rs 68 lakh Guest house at Chingam besides construction work of water sports centre at Dool-Kishtwar. He directed the executing authority to ensure time bound completion of the projects.

The CEO, Kishtwar, while briefing the Minister, said that construction of various amenities at tourist destination of Bimulnag, Barmayar, Pochhal, Chowgan, Ziarat Sharief pain and Bala at Kishtwar and Gouri Shankar temple Sarkoot are in progress involving a total cost of Rs. 2.35 crore and would be completed by August this year.

The Minister also addressed public meetings at Chatroo and Chingam and said that government is committed to provide improved basic facilities like road connectivity, drinking water, power and education especially to the people living in far off, hilly and kandi areas. He said various new reformative initiatives are being taken up in this regard. He said keeping in view tourism potential of the area, the government has submitted a project report of Rs 4.98 crore to Union Ministry of Tourism for funding for development of Killa Top, Parade Ground Chowgam, Tund and Menthalam. He said that view decks and convenience facilities at various scenic sites on the bank of river Chenab would be created. He also instructed for the publication of separate broacher of tourist destination of Kishtwar district and added that the copies of the same should be given wide publicity outside the state for promoting varied tourism potential of the area.

Responding to the demands put-forth by the locals the Minister said that tourism contributes in a big way toward the state’s economy and added that government has sanctioned a package of incentives for the entrepreneurs in the state for development. lf tourist resorts, hotels, paying guest houses besides setting up of other tourism related units. He called upon interested unemployed educated youth o the area to come forward and take benefits out of these schemes. He said reputed consultants would be engaged for upgrading various tourism related infrastructure in the area.

Mr. Jora said that Kishtwar has a paramount significant due to its fascinating tracks which passing through captivating landscape. He said adventure tourism potential of the area would be promoted by upgrading basic facilities at various camping sites. He said the youth of the area would be also acquainted with tracking and rafting trainings and adding that in this regard Jawahar Institute Mountaineering has starts its functioning at Bhaderwah and at present 40 students are being trained who would later work as adventure tour and travel operators.

Mr. Jora said that a national River championship would be organized at Kishtwar in the month of October and camping site would be installed at Kalam-Satter, Synthan, Bimalnag and Warwan for trekking of Paddar-Umasi-Lazanskar, Kishtwar-Dacchan-Marwah and for other trekking destinations. He said organization of the tourism festivals would also be made a regular future for focused publicity of the area and added that trekking facilitation centres would be set up at Kishtwar, Gulabgarh, Atholi, Chatroo, Chingam besides budgeted accommodation for devotees would also be created at various pilgrimage places of the area.