Govt identifying off-beat tourist destinations in J&K

Jammu, Nov 27: The government, with an aim to diversify tourism and boost the local economy of Union Territories (UTs), is identifying off-beat tourist destinations in J&K.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

According to the Minister, the government is actively promoting various new types of tourism in different Union Territories including J&K and Ladakh.

In this connection, he said that some key tourism projects undertaken in J&K, Ladakh UTs included the setting up of the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve in Ladakh (the first-ever Dark Sky Reserve in India); opening up of new trekking routes in Ladakh; celebration of cultural festivals such as Zanskar Festival in Ladakh, Wullar Festival in Jammu & Kashmir etc.

He said that to boost the tourism potential of UTs, local art and traditional crafts are being promoted in the UTs, and restoration, beautification and landscaping of various tourist or heritage sites is also being done.

Various new types of tourism enlisted by the minister include astro-tourism, eco-tourism, nature or biodiversity tourism, heritage or cultural tourism, wellness tourism, spiritual tourism, adventure tourism, monsoon tourism, experiential tourism, religious tourism, cruise tourism, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) tourism, tribal and rural tourism, border tourism, horticulture tourism, sports tourism and destination wedding tourism etc.

Among key tourism projects undertaken in the UTs, he also mentioned development of world-class seafronts, riverfronts and tent cities in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (DNH&DD); development of MICE infrastructure in Puducherry and development of inter-city tourism circuits in Chandigarh.

Moreover, emphasis has also been laid on community engagement in the promotion of tourism in UTs, in order to ensure inclusive and responsible tourism, he said.

“The Government has also taken various initiatives to boost the potential of eco-tourism in the island Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&NI) and Lakshadweep. To promote eco-friendly and sustainable tourism, enabling physical infrastructure is being created in these UTs,” Rai said.

“This includes the development of eco-tourism resorts, tent resorts, beach villas and India’s first water villas in Lakshadweep. Similarly, eco-tourism projects have also been planned in Andaman & Nicobar Islands in a holistic development framework, with construction of premium island resorts, premium tents and tree houses. Further, in order to further boost the potential of eco-tourism in these island UTs, infrastructure facilities for blue flag certification of more beaches are also being created,” he said.