‘Check posts established in forbidden areas for safety, security’
*Over Rs 80 cr sanctioned for various tourist facilities
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Feb 8: Stating that all out efforts are being made to promote Ladakh tourism at national and international levels, Union Tourism Ministry today informed the Parliament that as on date whole of Union Territory except a few pockets along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan are open for domestic tourists.
In a written reply to a question regarding boosting tourism in Ladakh, the Minister of Tourism G Kishan Reddy informed the Rajya Sabha that Union Territory administration has removed the requirement of permit for visiting restricted areas for domestic tourists.
“As on date, whole of Ladakh except a few pockets along the Line of Actual Control and Line of Control (for security reasons) are open for domestic tourists. However, permit for foreigners is still a requirement to visit the restricted areas within the Union Territory”, the Minister said.
About the steps taken to ensure the safety and security of the tourists in the forbidden areas, the Minister further said, “the UT administration in collaboration with the concerned security forces has established police check posts at spots identified collectively”, adding “moreover, the administration issues advisory from time to time regarding precautions to be taken for health reasons, safety and security”.
Regarding steps taken by the Government of India to boost the tourism sector in Ladakh, he said that Ministry of Tourism has taken several steps in this regard and all out efforts are being made to promote Ladakh tourism at national and international levels. Several projects have been sanctioned for the development of tourism related infrastructure under the “Swadesh Darshan” and “Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development” Schemes.
“Jammu-Srinagar-Pahalgam-Bhagwati Nagar-Anantnag-Salamabad Uri-Kargil-Leh” circuit is being developed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme at a total cost of Rs 77.33 crore and this includes development of tourist facilities at Kargil and Leh at a cost of Rs.13.43 crore. The project was sanctioned in 2016-17 financial year, the Minister said.
Likewise, tourist facilities are being developed as part of “Anantnag-Pulwama-Kishtwar-Pahalgam-Zanskar Padum-Daksum-Ranjit Sagar Dam” circuit under Swadesh Darshan Scheme at a total cost of Rs 86.39 crore which includes development of tourist facilities at Zanskar-Padum in Ladakh for an amount of Rs 9.45 crore. This project was also sanctioned in 2016-17.
The Parliament was further informed about development of tourist facilities under “Gulmarg-Baramulla-Kupwara- Kargil-Leh” circuit under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme at a total cost of Rs 91.84 crore which includes development of tourist facilities at Kargil and Leh in Ladakh for an amount of Rs 37.64 crore.
Moreover, the Government of India has sanctioned sound and light show at Leh and water screen projection multimedia show at Tourist Facilitation Centre, Kargil under Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development Scheme for an amount of Rs 23.22 crore.
“The Ministry of Tourism has revamped Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible destinations and Leh and Kargil have been identified as destinations for development”, the Minister said while disclosing that during 2019-20, financial assistance was provided to the UT of Ladakh for organizing ‘Losar Festivals’ for an amount of Rs 15 lakh under Domestic Promotion & Publicity including Hospitality (DPPH) Scheme.
Moreover, Ministry of Tourism has been promoting the UT of Ladakh and its various tourism products on the Incredible India website and through the social media handles. Further, the Ministry has been showcasing Ladakh in the India Pavilion at international travel fairs and exhibitions held overseas.
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