Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 19 : Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today reiterated the need of preserving natural beauty of the State adding that in no way development of tourist infrastructure should interfere in the serenity and environment of tourist resorts.
Chairing the 6th meeting of Pahalgam Development Authority here this morning, Omar Abdullah said that revival of tourism industry would generate wide-ranging economic activities for people and help in the growth of economy. However, he added that while planning tourist facilities, maintenance and conservation of environment and ecology should be of top most priority.
“People visit us for the natural beauty and scenic splendour God has bestowed on the State. It should be our prime duty to protect and preserve this novelty and speciality for present and future generation”, he said, adding that eco-friendly tourism should be popularized and mass awareness created for conservation of State’s bio-diversity and ecology.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister of State for Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani, MLA Rafi Ahmad Mir, Financial Commissioner Finance, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, Principal Chief Conservator Forest, Vinod Ranjan, Commissioner Secretary Tourism, Atal Dullo and various senior officers.
The meeting discussed matters relating to upgradation of water supply and electricity facilities in Pahalgam and adjacent areas. It also discussed issues relating to drainage, beautification of Beetab Valley, development of additional picnic spots and camping sites, disposal of garbage, development of walk-ways, registration of ponies and creating skiing slopes in Aru.
The Chief Minister said that skiers visiting Valley this winter would be send to Aru to ascertain the status of snow and the feasibility of creating skiing slopes in the area.
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