JAMMU: Terming tourism as a vital part of the state’s economy, Minister of Tourism Ghulam Ahmad Mir has said that there was need to explore the potential to elevate prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Tourism elevation means the prosperity of the whole state. Tourism is not enemy of anybody but the friend of all of us. We should cash it through accurate ways for our prosperity,” Mir said after inaugurating Tourist Facilitation Centre at the border outpost of Suchetgarh, 30 kms from here.
Mir appealed to people to contribute positively towards the development of tourism and not link it with politics and conflicts for the larger interests of the state.
Tourist Facilitation Centre along with other tourist related facilities at Suchetgarh, built at a cost of Rs 3.50 crore have been developed to promote border tourism in the area.
“The initiative will help develop border areas which possess immense tourism potential,” Mir added.
Mir also inaugurated one-day Border Tourism Mela, organized by Tourism Department to showcase the border tourism potential of the area, on the occasion.
Besides the locals, a large number of tourists evinced interest in the festival and were charmed by the cultural programs presented by reputed artists depicting rich cultural ethos of the state.
Mir pointed out that tourism was linked with promotion of other potential sectors like agriculture, horticulture, handicrafts and handlooms and it was the responsibility of all to bring complete normalcy in the state for providing congenial atmosphere for not only flourishing the tourism but also other trade and commerce activities.
“The government would encourage private stakeholders for investment under tourism sector for creation of varied infrastructure facilities, for the purpose besides ensuring lucrative advance incentives up to Rs 1 crore would be provided to them,” he added.
Mir further said that J-K has tremendous border tourism potential which would be explored fully in a phased manner to boost the economy of these areas.
“Instructions have been given to Tourism Department higher-ups to identify potential border spots for development and they were also directed to prepare the project reports for Central funding this year to create way site amenities towards all tourism spots,” he said.
Mir informed that Rs 6.39 crore was approved by the Centre for the development of tourism infrastructure at Suchetgarh in Jammu district and Chambyal in Samba district, against which Rs 5.10 crore has already been released by the Union Government. -PTI
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