Islamabad (Anantnag), Nov 13: Government’s claims to explore and develop new tourist spots in the Valley notwithstanding, about two dozen lakes surrounding the world famous health resort Pahalgam are yet to be brought on the tourism map.
 Official sources said that of the 24 freshwater lakes in the Himalayan region of Pahalgam, only three namely Sheeshnag, Tarsar and Marsar have been brought on the tourism map. “All the other lakes, small as well as big, are yet to be brought on the tourism map,” official said.
 They said the lakes though discovered decades ago and yet to find place on the tourism map include Tulyan, Asthan Marg, Chorch, Sonsar, Katrinag, Haribagwani, Hoksar, Chandarsar, Chernag I, Chernag II, Zeasar, Gogjisar, Hutur Talab, Ruhil, Doodsar, Chumnai, Chandersar, Tabaksar, Muniwarsar, Chunsar I, Chunsar II, Ountkash and Budsher."
 The officials said if the lakes are promoted as tourist spots, they can lure legions of tourists from India as well as abroad and bring a lot of foreign exchange to Kashmir.
 Many tourism players said that it was an irony that they had come to know about these water bodies from foreigners. “Many foreign tourists visit these lakes even as the state is yet to promote them and bring them on the state tourism map,” they said.
 When contacted Assistant Director Tourism, Pahalgam, Mehboob Ali, said the department has already brought Tulyan lake on the new tourist map.
 When asked why other lakes had not been brought on the tourism map, he suggested this reporter to talk to Deputy Director Publicity Section Tourism, Abid Maqbool who despite repeated attempts could not be contacted.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 13 Nov 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 IST