In order to promote Kargil for tourism activities, the Department of tourism Kashmir plans to organize Kargil festival to give the district wide publicity for its promotion.

This was announced by the Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood A Shah on his three day tour to Drass, Kargil and Leh. On Sunday, the First day of visit, the director tourism Kashmir visited Kargil where he interacted with the travel agents and hoteliers at Kargil Tourist Information Center .

He said Kargil is acting only a transit point for the travelers and locals are not benefiting much.
“We want tourist to stay in Kargil and spend few nights here. For this, we would try to promote lesser known destinations in the region,” he said.

The Director tourism said the department would promote the district for the adventure tourism activities.
In this regard, he said major sporting events would be held in the district in which participants from country and other countries would participate.

He also informed the department would promote the peaks which are 6000 meters above in height for trekking.
“The peaks which are 6000 meters and above in height have market Value. We will identify all such peaks in Kargil and market them amount hikers. This will help us promote the region,” said Mahmood Shah.

The Director Tourism also urged the hoteliers to avail the Government of India schemes for the infrastructure development and upgradation of their units.

Earlier, on Sunday Director tourism visited Drass and the lesser known spots in the area. Besides taking the stock of the tourism facilities in the area, the Director Tourism visited Maskoh Valley and Bimbat Village to promote the places among travelers.

Maskoh is 8 kilometers from the main market in Drass. Maskoh Valley is a small village having beautiful landscape through which River Drass also flows. From Maskoh one can also trek to Gurez in few days.

The Bimbat has a historic importance as the place has a large rock which is believed to be body of Pandava Bhimsen in the solidified form. The rock is associated with a Pandava legend during the period of his exile. It is situated about five kilometers from the Dras Bimbat named after him.
Till date, the rock is perceived to be a holy relic. The site has become an attraction among the travelers.
Director Tourism visited site and ordered for making a proper road and trekking path leading to the site.

Assistant Director Kargil Aga Taha, Executive Engineer Kargil Development Authority besides hoteliers and travel agents attended the meet.

On Monday the Director tourism visited Leh, where he is interacted with Travel agents and hoteliers where he also sought their cooperation for the promotion of tourism in the district. He also visited base camp of Stok Kangri mountain peak Leh, where he urged the tour operators to regulate trekking and mountaineering.