Altaf Bukhari asks govt to explore new tourist destinations across J&K

Samba, Feb 13: Apni Party President, Syed Mohammed Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday asked the government to explore new tourist destinations in both the regions of Jammu and Kashmir to boost local economy, improve infrastructure as well as provide employment to the youth at their doorstep.

“The situation in Kashmir has improved and the peaceful situation has attracted tourists from across the country and abroad. However, there is a need to explore new tourist destination in rural and remote areas that would help in generating a source of permanent income at the village level and infrastructural development,” said Altaf Bukhari, while addressing a public rally at Samba. According to a press release the rally was organised by SC Wing Provincial President, Adv Lovely Singh Mangol.

Bukhari said that the situation needs to be made favourable for the people to stop their migration from the villages to the urban areas in search of employment by providing jobs /self-employment opportunities at their doorstep.

“This is possible when the tourists are attracted to the areas which are still to be explored and promoted on tourism maps by the authorities in Jammu region as well as in Kashmir region,” he said.

Expressing dismay over the ignorant attitude of the authorities towards the development of infrastructure in various religious as well as border tourist places, he said that religious tourists come to Jammu because of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Shrine whereas the authorities have not made any efforts to explore the unexplored tourist potential.

He said that the development of Samba, Jammu, Kathua and other places is must to attract tourists for religious or tourism purposes in both Jammu as well as in Kashmir Regions because it would generate employment and help the local economy to grow.

Besides, he said that the local population vote and support the Apni Party candidates in the upcoming elections so that their areas can be represented by the deserving candidate to resolve their issues and that representative could be answerable to his voters.

He asked the people to become ambassadors of the Apni Party to bring equitable development, end discrimination and protect the rights of the local population.

He also criticised the poor infrastructure in educational and health institutions and shabby condition of roads in Samba’s rural belt and other areas of Jammu.

He said that these institutions are working without adequate teaching staff in schools, paramedical / doctors, structures, and improper equipment.