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Business Posted On Sunday, August 23, 2009 | United News of India
Srinagar, Aug 23:
Jammu and Kashmir government is taking various measures to exploit the tourism potential of the state.
The year 2010 has been declared as Jammu and Kashmir visit year at International level to showcase States varied tourism potential at the global level, Minister for tourism Nawang Rigzin Jora said.
He said the Legislative Assembly passed grants amounting to Rs 172.97 crore for the departments of Tourism and Culture yesterday.
Mr Jora said there was a dire need for synergy and coordination among various departments and development agencies for exploiting tourism potential up to the desired level.
The Minister announced that a motor rally to kick start tourism promotion in Rajouri and Poonch districts would be organised next year adding that the banner of the campaign would be in the footsteps of Mughals.
He said under the campaign all heritage places of Mughal period including Mughal Sarain and Noori Chamb would be showcased in an organized manner.
The Minister said that aero sports is being introduced in Surinsar and Kishtwar in Jammu in a big way owing to great potential for it in these areas.
In addition, adventure tourism like river rafting and para- gliding has a great scope in Kishtwar and Bhaderwah adding that water sports clubs would be set up in Dul Hasti and Pull Doda.
He said white water rafting championship would also be organized in river Kishan Ganga shortly.
He said that all the three regions of the State-- Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh would be showcased with unique distinctiveness on the world tourism canvas.
Mr Jora said efforts are being made to divert 72 lakh Vaishno Devi pilgrim tourists, which is our captive market, towards other scenic spots like Bhaderwah-Patnitop, Rajouri and Poonch. He said for the purpose upgradation of basic tourism infrastructure has been set into motion. The Minister said that to develop Mantalai in Jammu as a major tourist attraction place, an ambitious Rs 25 crore projects has been submitted to the Union Government for approval.
He said tourism potential in Ladakh popularly known as moon land, will also be exploited fully in the coming years.
He said three tourist circuits were sanctioned at a cost of Rs 21.78 crore which includes Jammu-Lakhanpur-Basohli-Bani-Sarthal, Bhadereah-Kishtwar-Simthan-Srinagar and Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch.
Hesaid the Centre has released so far Rs 17.42 crore for the development of these circuits and by the end of this year Rs 7.81 crore stand expended for development of various tourism related infrastructure under these circuits.
The Minister said that virgin tourism potential spots in the state particularly in Kashmir Valley would be brought on the tourism canvas for which 19 tourism development authorities have been set up.
He said Golf has merged as a major tourism attraction at the global level and the State government has decided to develop a chain of world standard golf courses in the State including Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Srinagar Sonamarg and Sidhra Jammu to attract foreign golfers to visit the State.
He said an international golf tournament would be organized in near future.
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Friday, September 03, 2010