MARCH 11:Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated today that the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and the international border has significantly contributed to the revival of tourism in Jammu’s frontier areas. In a reply to a supplementary question raised by Member Sajad Shafi regarding the Uri constituency, Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, informed the House that the gradual opening of border areas after the ceasefire has paved the way for a positive trend in tourism activities, driven by the prevailing peace in the region.
Omar Abdullah emphasized that Uri, in particular, holds immense potential for border tourism. He noted that tourists have started visiting areas like Uri, and there is growing interest in exploring scenic locations such as Aman Setu. “Our priority is to enhance tourism infrastructure in these regions to make them more accessible and attractive for visitors,” he stated.
In response to a starred question, the Chief Minister addressed the idea of establishing a Zipline or Cable Car project from Lagama to Baba Farred Garkote in Uri Constituency. He confirmed that the Tourism Department would assess the feasibility of such a project, though he clarified that no proposal for this is currently under consideration.
The Chief Minister also discussed the potential development of locations like Rustom and Nambla Waterfalls, which are being considered for inclusion under the Border Tourism Programme. However, the development of these sites will depend on feasibility assessments and the availability of resources.
Highlighting the growing popularity of adventure tourism, Omar Abdullah pointed out that areas such as Bijham and Limber Waterfall/Limber Wildlife Sanctuary are attracting adventure enthusiasts. The government is working to promote these areas further, recognizing their significance in the adventure tourism sector.
The Tourism Department has already initiated several projects to promote the holistic development of these areas. Although the department does not directly operate paragliding activities, it facilitates such activities through private adventure tourism operators. Additionally, it conducts capacity-building programs for aspiring trainers, and permissions for paragliding are granted after a thorough feasibility survey.
On the topic of camping facilities, Omar Abdullah informed that the Tourism Department facilitates the establishment of camping colonies at the Gantamulla reservoir, located on the banks of River Jhelum. The government has also developed several tourism assets to support visitors traveling from Baramulla to Salamabad, Uri. These developments include Khadinyar Park, a tourist cafeteria and TIC at Boniyar, a tourist cafeteria at Salamabad, and a Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) at Salamabad. Additionally, the gutted cafeteria at Eco-Park Khadinyar has been reconstructed.
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