Separate Development Authority set up to harness Kargil’s tourism potential: Priya

‘Multifarious activities under implementation to promote tourism activities in the area’

Jammu: Minister of State for Tourism, Priya Sethi today informed the Legislative Assembly that a separate Tourism Development Authority has been set up to ensure holistic development of Kargil from the tourism point of view as this area has tremendous potential for religious, border, adventure and cultural tourism.

 She said under Tourism Incentive Rules-2012, all the areas within the jurisdiction of Tourism Development Authority Kargil and Zanskar and Tourist Villages covered under Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) are eligible for incentives for construction of Hotel, Motel, Restaurant, conversion of Private Houses into Paying Guest Houses etc.

Replying to a question by Asgar Ali Karbalaie, the Minister told the House that the Tourism Department has produced a short promotional film on autumn, which depicts vividly ambience of this season in Kargil to attract tourists to the area.

The Minister said that new strategies are continuously being devised to increase arrival of domestic and international tourists in the areas. “The Tourism Department has prepared publicity material for Kargil which is being circulated in tourism marts of National and International levels. The publicity material is also kept available at the offices of the Tourism Department located outside the State,” the Minister elaborated.

She said under the Prime Minister’s Developmental Package (PMDP), the Tourism Department has hired consultants for framing projects to be submitted to Union Ministry of Tourism. The consulting firms include M/S Power Tech for promotion of Heritage and Himalayan tourism, Dara Shah for Eco Tourism and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) for Adventure Tourism. She said the consultants have been hired by the Department for framing the projects across the State including Kargil district.

 Ms Priya Sethi further said that Kargil has already been brought on the tourism map of the State through various other initiatives.

“Sustained efforts are being made to promote Kargil as an ace tourism destination. It prominently figures in the promotional campaigns viz print, electronic, social media, etc of the department” she added.