Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 22: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti has directed the Tourism Department to focus on places like Daksum, Margan Top, Kongawaten and other areas for tourism promotion even as she directed setting up of an expert group to suggest measures to control the decline in the height of world famous Ahrabal fall.
Addressing a joint meeting of Ahrabal, Kokernag and Verinag Tourism Development Authorities here today, the Chief Minister directed exploiting the potential of Daksum, Margan Top, Kongawaten, meadows of Noorabad and other places in the areas which, she said, have been famed attractions in the past. She said Daksum has been blessed with unparallel scenic attraction besides a wildlife sanctuary which can make a great tourist attraction.
Expressing concern over the reports of dwindling level of famed Ahrabal fall, the Chief Minister directed constitution of an expert group comprising subject experts and engineers to study the problem and come up with suggestions to arrest the decline of the fall, which has been a major tourist attraction in the past.
Mehbooba Mufti directed start of white water rafting, introduction of eco tourism and showcasing ethnic culture at these places to attract and sustain the tourist footfall. She also directed raising of more facilities of public convenience along the roads to these places.
She directed resolving issues of bus stands of Achabal and Kokernag besides the entrance of Ahrabal at the earliest. She also directed development of a pony track from Kungwaten to Guriwatan and construction of a foot bridge at Sangam connecting the area with Shopian. She also directed conclusion and finalisation of the Master Plans of these places for an onward action on the same.
As a specific direction, the Chief Minister asked the Tourism Department to include restoration of shrines, mosques, temples and Gurduwaras at these tourist destinations as part of the beautification activity. She also directed installation of street lights on the main roads, markets and gardens of these tourist spots to enhance the appeal of these places.
She directed conservation of Tashan spring at Kokernag, development of Mehmoodgami Park at Verinag and other water bodies at these tourist places. She asked for revisiting the architectural designs of buildings at all the tourist places and stressed on making the structural designs completely compatible with the local environment and ambience with little of cement and concrete and more of local material. She also directed posting of adequate staff at these development authorities to make them vibrant and active in functioning.
Minister of State for Hajj & Auqaf, Syed Farooq Andrabi; Minister of State for Tourism, Priya Sethi; legislators, Abdul Majid Padroo, Gulzar Ahmad Dar, Abdul Rahim Rather and Muhammad Yousuf Bhat; Vice Chairman, JKTDC, Rafi Ahmad Mir; Vice Chairman, KVIB, Peerzada Mansoor Hussain; Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Rohit Kansal; Secretary, Tourism, Sarmad Hafeez; Deputy Commissioners of Kulgam and Anantnag; Talat Parvez and Mohammad Younis; Director, Tourism, Kashmir, Mehmood Ahmad Shah and other officers were present on the occasion.
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