Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, June 12: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the mesmerising beauty of the State has always attracted tourists of wide-ranging interests to this part of the world.
Mr Abdullah mentioned the captivating scenery of Ladakh region and added that this part of the state possesses unique attraction for natural beauty lovers. He stressed on preserving the heritage and cultural vastness of the region.
Addressing a function after inaugurating ‘Sindhu Darshan’, the annual tourism promotion festival being organised by Tourism Department here, the Chief Minister said the tourist potential of the state has always been a strong economic advantage for it.
He said wide-ranging economic activities emanating from tourism give support to the progress and welfare of the State.
The Chief Minister sought the co-operation of media in the efforts of the Government aimed at showcasing state’s normality and tourist-friendly atmosphere.
While filing stories about various happenings, the reporters should take full care that these are not going out of the right perception and creating unnecessary speculations in the minds of tourists intending to visit the State, he emphasised.
The Chief Minister said his Government has initiated various measures to give fillip to tourism and showcase state’s diverse tourist attractions and rope in tourists both from within the country and outside.
He said protection and preservation of environment, forest wealth, water bodies, wildlife and natural beauty of the State has flagged most important aspect in the tourism development programme.
He asked the people to contribute in this National mission.
Expressing satisfaction over the preservation of cultural heritage by the people of Ladakh, Mr Abdullah asked them to remain positively involved in the protection and conservation of environment in this region which is unique and enthralling for the lovers of nature.
The Chief Minister referred to various projects being launched in Ladakh to promote tourism and generate economic activities for the locals.
He said Trans Himalayan Centre involving Rs 25 crore is under execution in Leh while Rs 20 crore food craft centre and Rs 30 crore Golf Course are also being developed here. He said these projects would give considerable fillip to the tourism and cultural activities.
Responding to the demand of the people for enhancing flights to Leh from Delhi and other places and reduction in the fare, the Chief Minister said he would take up this issue with the Union Civil Aviation Ministry.
The Chief Minister also said he would direct the Police Department to examine the demand of Leh for enhancing the number of traffic personnel in the area to help smooth ply of traffic.
The function was addressed by Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmad Mir who presented resume of the measures put in place by the Government for restoring tourism glory of the State and attracting more and more tourists from all over the world.
The 3-day festival will mark organizing of Polo matches, presentation of Cultural Programmes, showcasing of Ladakh’s heritage and culture and other tourism related specialities.
Minister for Urban Development, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC Leh, Rigzin Spalbar, Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil, Kachu Ahmad Ali, Executive Councillor, district officers and a large number of tourists were present on the occasion.
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