Kargil, Dec 07: Ladakh Environment and Health Organisation (LEHO) today organized Homestay material distribution ceremony for owners of the Homestays of Chiktan, along with a one-day awareness programme on holistic village development under their ecotourism project.
A total of 10 numbers of home stays were established under this project along with one Village Craft and Cafe stall, formation of one group as village tour operator, as well as appointment of one village coordinator for proper follow-up of the Ecotourism project in the village.
The programme was graced by SDM Shakar Chiktan, Abdul Gaffar Zargar and BDC Chiktan along with sarpanch and panch of the villages.
Tashi Thokmat, Dy. Director LEHO emphasized on the need of holistic development through a tourism project that not only focuses on the importance of decentralizing tourism in Ladakh but also focuses on preserving and promoting agriculture, Handicraft, and traditional artifacts boosting local economic sustainability.
Abdul Gaffar Zargar thanked Dr. Deen and the whole team of LEHO for establishing 10 homestays and providing high level quality materials to the homestays owners of Chiktan. He said he was very impressed that the project not only focused on Homestay establishment but also planned to promote agriculture, handicraft and sustainable development of the villages with a thrust on giving wide publicity to attract tourists in the village.
He ensured that he will take follow up for proper utilization of the homestay materials and functional of the homestay. He also expressed that many activities related to tourism promotion in Chiktan belt are in process such as renovation of Famous Chiktan Razi Khar, proper maintenance/black topping of Chiktan road etc.
BDC of Chiktan also thanked LEHO and Dr. Deen, and his team for bringing the ecotourism project to the village. The programme ended with flag-off of the homestay materials by the Chief Guest Abdul Gaffar Zargar, SDM Chiktan.
