Excelsior Correspondent
CHANDIGAM (LOLAB), May 27: Describing Kupwara as model for eco -tourism, Minister of State for Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani today said that Lolab will emerge as a dazzling spot to attract all tourism stakeholders in a big way in the next couple of years.
The Minister said this while addressing a huge public gathering after inaugurating a mega tourist guest house at Chandigam, Lolab here this afternoon.
MLA Lolab, Abdul Haq Khan, Ex MLC, Haji Mohammad Sultan Mir, Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Sarmad Hafeez, Director Tourism, Talat Parvez, Chief Executive Lolab- Bangus- Drangyari Development Authority (LBDDA) , Mohammad Yassen also spoke on the occasion.
The 10-bedded tourist guest house having capacity for 50 people with other facilities of dining hall, Aram gah, viewing deck and public convenience was constructed at a cost of Rs 1.50 crore.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the Government created LBDDA with the prime objective of targeted tourism development in the frontier district. “In Phase-I, tourism infrastructure in consonance with environmental norms is being created. We have already sent proposals for formal approval for construction of Mega projects to Union Tourism Ministry for funding, which would help us in creating tourist infrastructure facilities to woo foreign and domestic tourists”, he said.
Urging the youth to explore the potential for employment generation in tourism industry, Mr. Nasir asked the Director Tourism to sensitize interested people towards the new package of incentives announced by the State Government.
The Minster also inaugurated Tourist Interpretation Centre, Guest lodge, Aram Gah and Cafeteria at Satbarn Camping site at Khumryial which has been constructed at a cost of Rs 1.50 crore.
Earlier, the Minister gave away certificates among 600 educated youths who underwent training at Institute of Hotel Management, Srinagar in different tourism related trades like, Cook, Waiter, Tourist Facilitator under the programme ‘ Hunar Se Rozgar’. He also distributed 192 cheques worth Rs. 2.50 lakh among the trainees on the occasion.
Mr Nasir also released maiden Publicity Brochure of LBDDA showcasing the potential of three areas of the Tourism Development Authority. He said the brochure can be remembered as unique as three new tourist destinations of the Kupwara district have been given three separate identities.
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