Asks for survey, formation of DPRs for chairlift
BUDGAM – Dodpathri virgin tourist destination with amusing meadows, lush green pastures and milky water falls of Sukhnag and Shaliganga would become alternate destination to World famous Gulmarg in coming years, government today said.
This was stated by the Tourism Minister, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, during his visit to the place today. The Minister said that Government is exploring fully the varied tourism potential of Dodpathri adding that a chair lift would be constructed soon at the destination, besides developing of a tourist circuit connecting Tosmaidan- Yusmarg-Dreng with Dodpatri.
In this regard, the Minister gave consent for initiating necessary steps for development of these attractions to attract high end tourists towards this destination, which, he said, would ultimately ease tourist rush of Gulmarg and other known tourists spots of the Valley.
Mr Ahmad directed Cable Car Corporation authorities to go ahead and conduct a survey besides formulation of detailed project report for constructing chair lift at the destination in time bound manner.
Tourism Minister underscored need for identifying the varied tourism potential of the destination and its vicinity for marketing it globally. He also underlined the need for promoting new tourist attractions in the area without harming the virginity of the destination. He said the destination has great potential of Sheep farming, herbal Gardening and Winter-sport activities and directed concerned for Taping these potentials.
Mr Ahmad called upon the locals to come forward and be the stakeholders in tourism promotion of the area. He said Government has launched an incentive scheme under which people would convert a portion of their houses into lodges and guesthouses adding that financial assistance up to Rs. 2 lakh is being provided to such intenders. He said Government would also provide necessary training in hospitality and protocol to the local youth for setting up their own ventures under tourism sector in the area.
The Tourism Minister accompanied by MLA, Khansahb Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen and Director Tourism Kashmir Mr. Talat Parvez besides other senior officers inspected several ongoing projects coming up at the destination.
Tourism Minister also reviewed physical and financial status of the projects being executed by Dodpathri Development Authority (DDA). He instructed that while building tourist related infrastructure the virginity, ecology and aesthetic look of the area should not be affected at any cost and cautioned that no infrastructure be created in haphazard manner which may disturb the outlook of the spot. He also stressed for time bound notifying of Master Plan of the destination in order to create required tourist related infrastructure in a strategic and planned manner.
Hakeem Yaseen, MLA highlighted the vast tourism potential of the area and urged for formation of long term and short term development plans. He also suggested creation of wayside amenities including construction of guest houses and public conveniences en-route to Dodpathri for the tourists.
Chief Executive Officer, DDA, gave detailed resume of physical and financial achievements registered by the Authority during last few years in the area.
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