Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 27: With a view to show case the breath taking scenic beauty of the famous tourist place Yusmarg in district Budgam, a 3- day Tourism festival will be organized there by ending next month (September). Besides, some famous Tour and Travel operating Groups from across the country would also be taken to Yusmarg to acquaint them about the vast tourism potential of Yusmarg especially its unique adventure tourism potential.
These decisions were taken at the 4th Board meeting of the Yusmarg Development Authority (YDA) held at Civil Secretariat under the chairmanship of the Minister for Tourism & Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather and Minister of State for Tourism and Home, Nasir Aslam Wani were also present.
The Chief Executive Officer, Yusmarg Development Authority, Ghalib Mohi-ud-Din informed that the Union Ministry for Tourism has sanctioned Rs 4 crore for construction of recreation and sports centre at Yusmarg. Since, Yusmarg is being developed as a unique adventure tourist destination, activities like Zorbing, Mountain Biking, Bungee Jumping and Trampoline have already been started and the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering, Pahalgam has been approached to hold training camps at Yusmarg regularly to train the local youth and school children in different adventure tourism activities. It was also informed that a Herbal Garden will be developed at Yusmarg through the Forest Department.
The meeting gave its nod to the proposal to construct trekking routes and wayside facilities as a part of development of Doodhganga, Drugdolen, Burga and Kalnag to be funded by the Union Ministry of Tourism. The YDA also proposes to construct a golf course at Hayjan village with the assistance of central funds in the near future. Till then, the meeting agreed to construct a putting green at Yusmarg so that it adds to its attraction and also increases the scope of activities.
The Board also approved the final Master Plan 2009-2027 prepared by the Chief Town Planner, Kashmir and also for preparation of by-laws, after its detailed power point presentation in the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Jora called for development of basic infrastructure including construction of hotels, as per the guidelines of the Master Plan, so that tourists visiting Yusmarg are provided adequate boarding and lodging facilities. He also suggested to encourage private sector investment in the infrastructure development at Yusmarg. Mr. Jora also urged for development of camping sites in Yusmarg for the facility of tourists, adding that the main Yusmarg bowl should be preserved as green belt. He urged for priority to local architecture during tourism related constructions.
The Finance Minister called for developing a comprehensive tourist circuit between Chrar-i-sharief-Yusmarg and Pakherpora. He urged for promoting eco-tourism so that Yusmarg could have a competitive edge over other tourist places as the place is calm and free from noise and other pollutions.
Nasir Aslam Wani called for strict adherence to the land use plan while construction of hotel accommodation and other tourism infrastructure. He asked the concerned authorities to construct food court also for convenience of the visitors.
The Commissioner/ Secretary, Tourism, Attul Dulloo, Special Secretary Planning & Development, Director Codes, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, DFO, Budgam and other concerned officers also attended the meeting.
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