Kargil, July 02: Underlining the need for comprehensive strategies to enhance the region’s tourism sector, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC, Kargil, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon has urged Ladakh Tourism Department for devise both short-term and long-term plans to boost tourism in Kargil.
This can be achieved by creating a tourism circuit to extend visitors’ stay in Kargil for an extended period of time, harnassing the potential of pilgrimage tourism and by promoting both winter and summer tourism activities, Akhoon said, while chairing a meeting with Secretary, Tourism & Culture, Power, Sports and DIPR, UT Ladakh, Vikram Singh Malik, at Council Secretariat, Kargil.
The meeting convened to review the progress of various ongoing projects and initiatives across tourism, culture, power, sports, and information sectors was attended by Executive Councillor (I&FC/ PHE / Tourism / KDA / ZDA / Urban Dev / Revenue / CAD /Fisheries), Kacho Mohammad Feroz; EC (PDD / Education / Higher Education / Industries & Commerce / Mechanical Engineering Div / Horticulture / Handloom / Handicraft), Zakir Hussain; EC (Rural Development and Panchayati Raj / Cooperative / FCS&CA / Forest & Wild Life / Information), Er. Punchok Tashi; Deputy Commissioner, Kargil, Shrikant Suse SDM, Zanskar, Romil Singh Donk, Chief Engineer, LPDD, Tsewang Paljor, Director Tourism, Kunzer Angmo Joint Director, Information, Ladakh, Imteeaz Kacho JD, DYSSO, ADC, Kargil Suhail Ahmad besides other concerned officers.
During the meeting, the CEC took detailed review of the status of numerous projects, emphasising the need for comprehensive strategies to enhance the region’s tourism sector.
He highlighted the importance of creating a tourism circuit to extend visitors’ stay in Kargil for an extended period of time & urged the Secretary to devise both short-term and long-term plans to boost tourism in Kargil.
The CEC stressed the potential of pilgrimage tourism and the need to promote both winter and summer tourism activities and other developmental works of allied departments.
Dr Jaffer praised the Homestay Policy of the Tourism Department, noting its positive impact on the local economy. He also brought attention to the Solar Lift Irrigation Canal project in Hunderman and discussed various power-related issues, including the development of a tourist facility at Namkila, and the post creation of Physical Education Teachers (PETs).
Other issues included the establishment of stadium in every division, the implementation of rooftop solar project scheme, transformer replacements, and other related issues. The CEC also emphasized the need for installation of signages at conspicuous locations in the district as welll as at Leh and Srinagar airports, railway stations etc. for promoting Kargil tourism.
Executive Councillor, Tourism, Kacho Mohd Feroz; Executive Councillor, Information, Er Punchok Tashi; Councillor, Choskore, Nasir Munshi raised additional tourism-related issues such as promoting horse polo, developing a cable car project, construction of convention, cultural centers and engagement of destination management consultants to chalk out concrete strategies for tourism promotion and management in Kargil district.
EC Feroz also raised the issue of Linkipal Ski Slope/Cable car project and suggested to change the project implementing agency.
They stressed the importance of social media marketing, optimizing search engines for tourism promotion in Kargil, and implementing a single-window registration system for hoteliers.
It was also discussed the handover of various tourism assets, development of Zanskar projects, festival organization, and suggesting wider publicity at least one month before any festival.
Secretary, Vikram Singh Malik directed the Kargil Renewable Energy Development Agency (KREDA) and Irrigation Department to coordinate the Solar Lift Irrigation project in Hunderman.
He also instructed the concerned authorities to incorporate workeable tourism projects, develop Linkipal cable car and enhance Iqbal Bridge viewpoint. He also called for a revision of criteria for heritage projects with and instructed REC Power Distribution Company Limited (RECPDCL) to address Manman top tower issues in Drass.
The Secretary further directed a resolution of the Zanskar turbine issue and assured of efforts on promoting tourism in Kargil. He assured deployment of consultants to Kargil to assess the tourism related issues comprehensively. Besides these, he also instructed to resolve all minor issues on priority.
Later, the CEC expressed gratitude for the Secretary’s visit and hoped for continued collaboration in the future for the sustainable tourism promotion in the district.
