In an initiative to open up virgin tourist places in Jammu and Kashmir, the state government on Sunday opened the picturesque Lolab valley in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district for visitors.
Blessed with lush forests and gushing streams, Lolab valley is also famous for centuries old Kalaroos caves and Satbaran monument. The Government has decided to market these caves for attracting tourists to the scenic spot.
The State’s Tourism Department in collaboration with the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) organized a three-day Lolab-Bangus-Drangyari festival at Chandigham to promote these tourist places. However, the Government formally announced opening of the Lolab valley for tourism yesterday as per Greaterkashmir.
“It is a historic day for people of Kupwara that Lolab valley has been brought on the tourism map of the state,” Minister of State for Tourism, Nasir Aslam Wani said while addressing a seminar ‘Booming Times— Incredible Challenges’ at Lolab. Nasir said that despite possessing massive tourism potential, people of Lolab live in abject poverty. “Tourism activities will not only uplift them but also provide them with sustained livelihood. People here should be ready to host tourists soon,” he said. However, Nasir maintained that tourism to Lolab will be regulated in tandem with its carrying capacity.
“We will not allow tourism to affect fragile ecosystem of Lolab. We will promote eco-tourism activities including home-stays, fishing, and trekking in the area,” Nasir said. Nasir, who is also Minister of State for Home, said Bangus valley located near the Line of Control in Kupwara, will also be opened soon. “The Canadian firm which conducted survey of Bangus has submitted its report to the State Government. We will discuss the report with experts and tourism stakeholders before opening Bangus for tourism,” Nasir added.
President TAAK, Rauf Tramboo, said the Association has decided to promote Lolab as a tourist destination “Owing to its unmatched natural beauty, Lolab is bound to attract tourists who want to spend time in solace. Tourists who will visit this enchanting place will go back with lasting memories,” Tramboo said. Tramboo said to sustain and maintain tourism boom which Kashmir witnesses for past few years, is full of challenges.
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