New Delhi, Mar 3: Expressing concern over the condition of several tourism projects in Jammu and Kashmir, a Parliamentary committee has found that they were moving at a slow pace.
 Three tourist circuits were sanctioned by the Tourism Ministry in the state at a cost of Rs 21.78 crore for Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch, Lakhanpur-Sarthal and Bhadeerwah-Kishtwar-Sinthan-Srinagar.
 Out of the sanctioned amount of Rs 21.78 crore, only a sum of Rs 2.90 crore has been spent till date, the Standing Committee on Tourism, Culture and Transport has said in its latest report today.
 The committee, headed by member of Parliament Sitaram Yechury informed that projects worth Rs 150 crore were yet to be sanctioned by the Tourism Ministry to the state government, adding, that their timely implementation would result in better utilisation of funds.
 The committee recommends that the Union government should consider modifying the norms for release funds to the state keeping in mind the topography and difficult terrain of the region and ensure that projects do not lag behind for want of funds.
 Noting that the potential for adventure tourism in Kashmir and Ladakh region is largely untapped, the committee has strongly recommended to promote it with adequate publicity in the country and abroad.
 “The Tourism Ministry should prioritise the adventure tourism projects in Jammu and Kashmir and give adequate publicity in India and abroad,” said the report.
 The Tourism Ministry has set up an Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering in Gulmarg for promotion of skiing and mountaineering.
 Welcoming the move, the committee has asked the ministry to to set up more such institutions at other places of the state.
 Tourist arrivals have increased over the last few years in Jammu and Kashmir and in 2008, 5,36,689 tourists visited the Valley up to the end of July 2008 as compared to 2,79,191 during the corresponding period in 2007.
 However, tourist traffic has declined due to agitations in July-August 2008 both in Jammu and Kashmir region.
 The agitations, however, did not have any impact on the tourists arrival in Ladakh region, the committee said in its report.
 The committee said it hopes that the tourist inflow will take new strides in the changed situation in the region, adding, the tourism ministry should also project the improved situation in the Valley through advertisements so that more tourists are attracted to visit it.
 Taking note of increased number of tourists in Srinagar, the committee is of the view that to keep pace with the increasing tourism traffic, efforts be made to provide better services to domestic and international travellers.
 However, the committee observed that the strategy and initiatives taken by the state required a more focused approach for effective and structured growth.
 Noting that the state does not have a tourism policy, the committee emphasised on the need to have one.
 The committee also desired that the ministry take steps for the development of trekking routes in the state.
 On the plight of the houseboat owners who are finding it difficult to maintain these boats, the committee was of the opinion that as they were one of the symbols of Kashmir, a suitable assistance and support be given to houseboat owners in the form of soft loans.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 3 Mar 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 3 Mar 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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