Dr Raj Muzaffar Bhat
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s announcement to declare Tosamaidan located in central Kashmir’s Budgam district as an Eco-Tourism destination has generated a new hope and enthusiasm not only among the green activists, but this decision is being hailed by all conscious citizens of state. Jammu & Kashmir is an ecologically fragile state, so it is the duty of authorities to take every possible step to ensure protection of state’s ecology and environment at any cost. Chief Minister in her address during the inauguration of 3 day tourism festival at Tosamaidan few days back said that Tosamaidan will be brought on the tourism map of the state as an independent tourist destination by creating a separate Tosamaidan Tourism Development Authority (TDA) for the area. TDA would be the only Tourism Development Authority in state which would undertake works within a given framework wherein no concrete structure would be allowed to come up around the jurisdiction of this proposed authority. Mehbooba Mufti laid an emphasis on promoting Tosamaidan through community participation by adopting Adventure and Rural tourism models for the area. Such decisions would not only boost tourism in the area but create jobs for the local unemployed youth as well. The new Tourism Development Authority for Tosamaidan will be integrated with Gulmarg, Dodhpathri and Yusmarg Tourism Development Authorities to promote it as an Adventure Tourism Circuit as all these three tourist destinations are located under the foothills of Pir Panchal mountain range and are interconnected with each other through a lovely trekking route. Adventure lovers can undertake a 2 days trek from Gulmarg to Yusmarg via Tosamaidan and Doodhpathri. According Rauf Tramboo a renowned adventure tourism expert in J&K says that activities like paragliding, trekking, skiing, mountain biking , and mountaineering can be undertaken around Tosamaidan and its adjoining areas which extend upto Loran area of Poonch via Noorpur pass . Tramboo has been specially requested by the Government to initiate these activities around Tosamaidan meadow.
Upgrading Mud Kothas :
CM’s announcement to upgrade and modernize the traditional Kothas (Dokes / Mud houses) is a marvelous idea to create a special eco tourism model around Tosamaidan. Tourism department has planned to develop 50 such mud huts in the first phase as they would be the guest houses for the visiting tourists in the area intending to stay at Tosamaidan. These mud huts (Khotas / Dokes) would have all the modern amenities like washrooms , bedrooms etc but at the same time would be eco friendly having same traditional looks. The owners of these huts would provide the home stay facilities to the visiting guests and the Tourism Department would assist and support the owners of the Mud huts to create the requisite facilities for providing adequate boarding and lodging facilities to the tourists.
Mufti’s promise :
From the floor of the legislative assembly former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had last year said that his Government was committed towards development of Tosamaidan as an independent tourist destination. While responding to Omar Abdullah who also happens to be Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Beerwah assembly constituency located around Tosamaidan , Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had reiterated his commitment that Tosamaidan would be brought on tourism map of state very soon. He had said that Government was committed towards ensuring protection of fragile environment around Tosamaidan meadow which was under the control of Army’s Artillery wing for more than 40 long years. Mehbooba Mufti has fulfilled the dream of her father by paying a visit to Tosamaidan and making subsequent announcement on the spot for developing this area as an eco tourism destination.
Conclusion :
I am sure Tosamaidan will be a world class ecotourism destination provided Government agencies especially Tourism , Forest and other line departments work in close coordination. If Government is really serious towards sustainable development of Tosamaidan and making it an eco tourism destination the plastic items , polythene , pepsi , coke and junk food should also be banned in the area. Only one single road should be upgraded for vehicular traffic, no other roads should be allowed to come up in a haphazard manner. Local forest and traditional foods should be encouraged and served to tourists by making some value additions. Forest food festivals can be undertaken in the area to sensitize the local population about the importance of several edible herbs , vegetables and mushrooms found in abundance around this meadow. The un employed youth of the area should be trained in hospitality sector so that they become brand ambassadors for Tosamaidan in future.
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel