Maintaining that nature has suffered badly in the last 20 years in Kashmir, Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Agriculture Production, Government of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), recently stressed the need for conserving mountains, forests, glaciers, water bodies and wildlife for sustainable tourism in the state. “In Kashmir we have beautiful mountains and spiralling meadows that can be promoted for Adventure Tourism activities. But we need to create awareness among the masses about the importance of earth components that thrive our economy,”
Mir said at the inaugural function of International Mountain Day organised by Jammu and Kashmir Ski and Mountaineering Association (JKSMA), in collaboration with Tourism Department.
“If mountains are promoted for ski and trekking activities, it will provide livelihood to the people living in their neighbourhood,” Mir was quoted as saying in a report in greaterkashmir.com. Maintaining that Kashmir had great demand for foreign timber, the minister said the state government would consider reduction in import duties for it. “Reduction in import duty will further increase its demand that in turn would help safeguard our forests.” Mir stressed on the need of preserving green cover on the globe. He expressed his deep concern on cutting of trees during the turmoil in Kashmir valley.
Talat Parvez, Director Tourism – Kashmir, said the tourism department would promote Adventure Tourism to attract high-end tourists. “Kashmir is famous for its beauty throughout the globe, but we need to promote it as an Adventure Tourism destination. Most of the tourists come here to spend leisure time, but the Tourism Department is focusing on wooing visitors who would like to be part of adventure activities,” Parvez said.
Rauf Tramboo, General Secretary, JKSMA, expressed his gratitude to the supporters of the event and participants to make it a “grand success”. “We are organising hiking and trekking programmes in Faqeer Gujree area, which has tremendous potential for developing
tourist village. We can offer two-to-three-d
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