Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 9: Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) LAHDC, Leh, Rigzen Spalbar, called on the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, here this afternoon and apprised him about the issues pertaining to promotion of tourism in Leh district.
Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, was also present on the occasion.
During the meeting, Spalbar informed the Chief Minister about the ‘Himalayan Hemis Mela’ being organized in July next year in which nearly two lakh visitors are expected to participate from 76 countries. However, due to meager resources available with LAHDC Leh, he said the mega festival cannot be organized by the Council of its own.
Given the huge impetus ‘Himalayan Hemis Mela’ will provide to Ladakh’s tourism sector, the Chief Minister assured Spalbar that the State Government will accord it the highest priority and take up the matter with the Union Ministries of Tourism & Culture so that it is successfully organized.
On the issue of increasing flight frequency to Leh from Delhi and Srinagar, Mufti Sayeed said the matter will be further pursued with the Civil Aviation Ministry so that more flights are operated between Delhi and Leh and Srinagar and Leh respectively.
Spalbar also briefed the Chief Minister about the three-day Sindhu Festival, being organized from June 12 and the Hemis Mela, scheduled to be held on June 26.
Both the festivals, which are visited by a large number of domestic and overseas tourists, play a key role in promotion of tourism and cultural heritage of Ladakh region.
Placing high priority on honing the skills of local youth, the Chief Minister laid emphasis on dovetailing the tourism industry of Ladakh with its handicraft sector so that local economy and internal revenue generation is increased.
CEC LAHDC, Leh, briefed the Chief Minister about the steps being taken to promote carpet and pashmina weaving, besides advances made in wood craft and paintings depicting rich culture of Ladakh region.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) N. C. Marwah, Member National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) called on the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, here this evening.
During their meeting, Lt. Gen. Marwah briefed the Chief Minister about the role of NDRF in dealing with post-calamity situations across the country.
Keeping in view the devastating floods that hit the State last year, he said the NDRF will work in tandem with SDRF, NGOs and other stakeholders so that people are made aware about taking preventive measures in dealing with calamities.
He informed the Chief Minister that NDRF has the necessary equipment and manpower to professionally support stakeholders in dealing with such situations.
Mufti Sayeed observed that floods of 2014 wreaked havoc resulting in unprecedented damage to public and private property and the State Government has taken several steps to ensure against such calamities, particularly, by way of strengthening river embankments and dredging the river and spill-over beds.
Referring to his meeting with the Chief Secretary, Lt. Gen Marwah also indicated that NDRF will assist the State Government by way of capacity building of various agencies for effective disaster management preparedness.
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