Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Mar 2: The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh is perturbed over inordinate delay in opening up of several tourism potential areas for domestic as well as foreign tourists as despite Army’s consent the Union Government has not taken any decision during the past one year. Due to the ‘un-called’ for restrictions, the development of tourism in vast area of the district remains a distant dream and depriving the people of chances to improve their economic condition.
Authoritative sources told EXCELSIOR that pursuant to the communication No.8-PNC(6)/2011 dated February 13, 2012 of the Union Ministry of Tourism, the State Tourism Department vide letter No.TSM/Estt-40 dated March 14, 2012 had forwarded a detailed background note indicating the restrictions that were impeding the development of tourism in the vast area of the district and the relaxation required to evolve a tourist friendly policy for encouraging foreign as well as domestic tourists.
“However, the Union Ministry of Tourism has not conveyed its decision till date and due to inordinate delay there is resentment in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, which is of the opinion that prolonging the decision on the vital issue means depriving the people of the benefit of tourism development and chances to improve their economic condition”, sources said.
In response to a question, sources said, “the lifting of restrictions on numerous areas was conveyed to the Union Tourism Ministry after taking formal consent of the Leh-based 14 Corps of the Army”, adding “it is not understandable as to what is the hitch in opening up of more tourism potential areas for foreign as well as domestic tourists when Army has conveyed its approval after deeply analyzing the pros and cons”.
“As far as Nubra valley is concerned, LAHDC is seeking opening up of area beyond Panamik up to Gonbo for the tourists”, they said, adding “what to talk of foreign tourists at present even domestic tourists are not allowed beyond Panamik”. Similarly, in Changthang, the State Tourism Ministry in consultation with LAHDC and 14 Corps has sought opening up of area beyond Pangong Manmerak up to Chushul besides numerous areas in Anley.
According to the sources, there has been resentment among the inhabitants of these areas as due to the restrictions on the visit of foreign as well as domestic tourists they could not obtain benefit of huge tourism potential for improving their economic conditions.
When contacted, Chief Executive Councilor (CEC) of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Rigzin Spalbar confirmed that resentment was brewing among the people of these areas over inordinate delay on the part of Union Tourism Ministry to take decision on the State’s request. “Our economy is tourism-based and unless tourism potential is not explored the economic condition of our people cannot improve and this would be a great injustice with them”, he added.
“There are numerous memorials of several unsung heroes of 1962 war in the border areas and their valor can become source of inspiration for the youth to join the Army but the same would become possible only when restrictions on the visit of tourists are lifted”, the CEC said while hoping that Union Tourism Ministry would not delay the decision anymore and take positive decision shortly.
It is pertinent to mention here that in 2010 the Union Government had lifted restrictions on numerous areas after repeated requests from the State Government.
These tourist circuits are Leh-Karu-Chang La-Durbuk-Tangtse-Lukung-Spangmik-Man-Merak and Leh-Upshi-Chumathang-Mahe-Loma Bend in Nyoma Sub-Division and Leh-Khardung-La-Khalsar-Hunder-Turtuk-Pachathang Tyashi in Nubra Sub-Division. The other circuits in Leh and Kargil districts which were opened in 2010 are Kargil-Khangral-Shaker-Chiktan-Leh and Dha-Garkone-Darchik-Batalik-Slimo-Kargil.
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