BHADERWAH, JUNE 24: The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad inaugurated 4-day Bhaderwah Tourism-cum-Cultural Festival 2012, here today.
 Perched securely among the mountains at an average height of about 5000ft above sea level the valley of Bhaderwah is approximately 6 km length and 4 Km breadth.
 The Valley is situated North East of Jammu at a distance of about 200 Km and is bounded by Chamba State of Himachal Pradesh in South East Kishtwar in the North and Doda in West.
 Addressing the gathering, the union minister said that with the restoration of peace and harmony, tourism industry was reviving fast in Jammu and Kashmir. “During the turmoil the state tourism suffered great setback and as the situation has improved thick and fast, the tourism  has been revived and tourists from across the country and globe are coming towards Jammu and Kashmir”, he said.
 Expressing optimism about the future of state with regard to tourism growth, he said peace and harmony was imperative for the multifarious development of tourism and allied sectors and the state has great days ahead.
 “Tourism is fastest growing and promising sector in the world and Jammu and Kashmir has been the most favoured tourist destination of International/ National visitors”, Mr Azad said adding that there was a need to develop this lucrative industry in the state on the European pattern.
 Highlighting the tourism potential in Erstwhile Doda district, he asked the people of the area to build paying guest houses, hotels, restaurants and related infrastructure with advanced facilities   so that adequate accommodation besides other related facilities could be made available to the visiting tourists. 
 “To divert the tourists towards erstwhile District Doda we need to attract them towards our unexplored destinations and such type of festivals help  a lot in showcasing these to a good number of people” Mr. Azad asserted.
 Azad said that Bhaderwah was world famous for its pilgrimage sites, and it was the right time to explore the pilgrimage tourism potential of the area. He said that various initiatives have been taken up to upgrade the tourism infrastructure in Bhaderwah.
 Referring to road connectivity of Bhaderwah with different parts of the district and neighboring state Himachal Pardesh, he said that with the upgradation and augmentation of Bhaderwah-Chamba and Bhaderwah–Bani–Basohli road, an alternate road connectivity, will certainly help in giving a fillip to tourism, trade and people to people contact. With the completion of these road projects the local made products and other items will get huge exposure in other parts of the country, the union minister said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 24 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 24 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 25 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST