Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 6: Several Kashmir based senior leaders have said that the Jammu and Kashmir Government must review its decision to declare 1034 kanals of land at the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg and 354 kanals in another popular tourist destination Sonamarg as “strategic areas” for the use of armed forces as these are two most popular tourist destinations in the Valley.
“There are already a lot of areas with the Army for such purposes. Gulmarg and Sonamarg along with Pahalgam are three most popular tourist destinations in the Valley which need to be promoted for tourism purposes,” said CPI (M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, in a statement issued here today.
Stressing that need of the hour is to develop tourism infrastructure in Kashmir which can generate employment, he hoped that the Government will review its decision and focus on developing tourism in Gulmarg, Sonamarg and other tourist destinations.
National Conference General Secretary, Ali Mohd Sagar said that such wanton land transfers will make the tourist heaven Gulmarg and Sonamarg wear a `battle zone’ look. “Continuous movement of Army traffic will also have a far reaching impact on the local tourism activities in the shape of curbs. We hope that the Government will review such a reckless decision. Putting our land and resources for grabs and sale on one pretext and another is akin to adding insult to our injuries,” he added.
Chairman People’s Democratic Front (PDF), Hakeem Yaseen, in a separate statement, has also urged the Government to identify alternate land for Army strategic area which should be away from human settlements and tourist places, so that tourist activities are not affected.
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