Of late the government seems to have woken up to the need for tourism-related infrastructure in the state. In some past public meetings— particularly those hosted by tourism trade bodies in different parts of the Valley, the minister for tourism has given clear indications that the government is seriously mulling to develop infrastructure at Valley’s tourist attractions. In order to lengthen the stay of tourists in the Valley, the government is working on a plan to explore and promote some unexploited destinations in the Valley. As per the plan, the government in the first instance wants to identify and demarcate a chunk of land at these destinations. The land so demarcated after being provided with basic infrastructure like sanitation, drainage, electricity, etc. by the government, would be thrown open for the private players to build hotels, guesthouses and other facilities for the tourists. However, there are certain basic things that need to be kept in mind while pursuing such a programme. It is true that in absence of adequate infrastructure at many of our tourist destinations in the far off places, a considerable pressure of tourists remains in and around Dal lake in Srinagar. But we cannot ignore the fact that the ecology of the places which are up in the mind of the government to be explored and thrown open for the private players, is too delicate to brook any mindless interference with nature. Before stepping on its plan, the government needs to take all stakeholders— tourism traders, environmentalists, civil society members and experts on the subject— into confidence. Protection of ecology is something that cannot be compromised for the sake of some economic benefits. Any infrastructure development at such destinations has to be in synch with the ecology of that place. A sustainable economic activity, particularly the one in the tourism sector, has to have regard for the environment concerns. A responsibility devolves on us all to treat the treasure of nature as a trust with us to be bequeathed to the posterity.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 11 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 12 Sep 2012 00:00:00 IST