Tosa Maidan has potential to become independent tourist resort: Mufti

SRINAGAR  Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, Friday reiterated governments resolve to incorporate the picturesque meadow of Tosa Maidan within the jurisdiction of Dudpathri Development Authority.

He said Tosa Maidan, which was used as a field firing range, has been vacated by the Army and it will be brought on the tourism map of the state as an independent resort without disturbing its fragile environment.

The Chief Minister, who also holds the charge of the Tourism Department, said this while intervening during supplemantaries to an AQ of MLA Beerwah and former Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, during the Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly today.

Referring to his earlier visit to Yusmarg and Dudpathri, Mufti Sayeed said he had passed on-the-spot instructions for promoting Tosa Maidan as a tourist destination. He also stressed upon greater public-private interface to create a sustainable revenue model by optimally utilizing the tourism infrastructure. Tosa Maidan as a tourist resort has a tremendous potential of becoming an independent destination, he said, while assuring that the surface connectivity leading to Tosa Maidan will be developed on priority.

On the issue raised by MLA Gool-Arnas, Ajaz Ahmad Khan, about grazing rights of nomadic Gujjar community in highland pastures, the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, said the government is concerned about their livelihood and the community will be made stakeholder in the tourism sector. He made a reference to the monstrous constructions that have taken place at other tourist places, which have seriously threatened the environment.

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We will involve Gujjar community in eco-friendly tourism activities and create facilities in their dwelling units (kothas) to attract visitors to such destinations, he added.

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