spots: MehboobaJammu, Dec 7 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief MinisterMehbooba Mufti today directed the tourism department and itsallied agencies to focus on development of catchment areaswhile upgrading and building facilities at various touristspots.
This would enable the locals in becoming equal partnersand stakeholders in promoting tourism across the state, shesaid.
Chairing a meeting of Yousmarg, Wullar and Manasbal,Lolab, Bangus and Drangyari Tourism Development Authoritieshere, Mufti directed them to raise minimum concrete structuresat tourist spots and develop each destination vis a vis itsown speciality.
She told them to ensure that the infrastructure beingraised was in sync with the local culture and architecturalpattern.
State ministers Abdul Haq Khan, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjuraand Sajad Gani Lone, and legislators Usman Majeed, Rasheed,Raja Manzoor, Farooq Mirchal, Ishfaq Jabbar and Bashir AhmadDar were present in the meeting.
The chief minister told the CEOs of these authorities todevise tourism packages particularly for school students,adventure lovers and youth from within and outside the stateso that footfall at tourism spots increases steadily.
She directed clearing encroachments at tourist spots andtake tough measures to check pollution at these places.
Mufti also directed promoting pilgrim tourism.
Terming Bungus a world class tourist destination, thechief minister told the officials concerned to maintain itsunadulterated aesthetic appeal.
She directed preservation of the ancestral place ofHazrat Maulana Anwar Shah Kashmiri as a heritage house andsubmission of a conservation project of a spring at Trehgamfor approval.
Mufti also directed transfer of all assets developed atthe tourist destination to Tourism Department for their betterupkeep.
At the meeting, she directed the tourism department toexplore the tourism potential of Nilnag, near Yousmarg andcreate facilities there.
To boost tourism in Budgam district, Charar i Sharief isbeing developed as a destination for pilgrims, Mufti said. PTIABNSD.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.