Tangmarg, Oct 24: As part of ongoing Jan Abhiyan programme, Secretary, Tourism, Youth Services & Sports, Sarmad Hafeez today visited the Drung area of Tangmarg during which he interacted with various tourism stakeholders, PRIs, Youth Clubs of the area.
Interacting with various groups of tourism stakeholders, youth clubs and PRIs of the area, the Secretary Tourism appreciated the role played by the local population in the development of tourism and tourism related activities in the area.
The Secretary Tourism informed the participants that the basic purpose of organising such programs is to ensure that governance reaches to the door steps of every area and people especially the youth are made aware about the various schemes / initiatives regarding the creation of self
employment opportunities for them. He stressed upon the local population, especially the youth, to take due advantage of the recently issued guidelines for registration of home stays which have been made simpler and hassle free.
Sarmad Hafeez informed the participants that Drung is amongst the 75 new offbeat / lesser known destinations which has been identified for development by the Department for which various initiatives have already been taken so that the tourists who visit Gulmarg are also diverted to Drung and its adjacent areas. He assured the locals of the area that new trekking routes which have been identified in the area shall be given due publicity by the Department.