Srinagar, Apr 18: Director Tourism Farooq Ahmad Shah on Wednesday said that Tourism Department was trying its best to woo the high-end tourists to visit the Valley but their number was very low.
 “There are three categories of tourists that visit Kashmir, Golfers, Skiers and High end tourism. But unfortunately number of high-end tourists visiting valley is low,” Shah said while addressing a Heritage day function organized by the Tourism department here.
 “Tourism Department had started Heritage Week from April 14 to 21 and today is the Heritage day. We have vast heritage sites and in last few days we have tried to create awareness among masses about our history,” he said.
 “We have observed that Srinagar city has become a transit camp for the tourists they stay here for a day and then travel to places like Gulmarg, Pahalgam etc. We have the capacity to retain these tourists in the city for a week if we can renovate our heritage sites here,” Shah said.
 “Tourism Department in collaboration with Indian National Trust For Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Kashmir Chapter have undertaken restoration process for heritage sites and restoration of Aalia Masjid is one of our joint venture,” he said. “Tourism Department is also working to renovate Naagar Nagar. We are doing our best to revive the Mughal Gardens in collaboration with Floriculture Department to attract tourists.”
 Inspector General of Police Kashmir zone, S M Sahai, who was chief guest on the occasion, said, “We need to educate locals about preservation of our heritage sites.”
 Ajaz ul Haque, Producer EMMRC and Greater Kashmir Columnist said, “Tourism Department has done a great job in restoring Aali Masjid and Nageen club. We need to preserve our cultures. We should talk in Kashmiri as it is also our heritage.”
 Chairman, INTACH , Kashmir Chapter , Saleem Beg while praising efforts of Tourism Department said : “ Civil society should come forward and create awareness about our history.”
 Zahid G Muhammad, Greater Kashmir Columnist said, “We should preserve our heritage as it is our identity. Heritage is a social ethos and culture and we need to do our best in restoration of our identity.”
 Former Director General Tourism Muhammad Ashraf also spoke on the occasion and stressed on the need to preserve heritage sites.
 Representatives of tourist associations like KHARA, KHAROF, TAAK and TASK were also present on the occasion. Also large number of students from different colleges and schools participated in the function.
 Meanwhile, Tourist Department also organized a visit of media persons to Heritage sites on the banks of River Jehlum.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 18 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST