Tourism Minister Tassaduq Mufti today said that research, surveys and environmental impact assessments are to be incorporated as regular features in tourism policy of the state to raise modern infrastructure coincident with the historical legacies and natural endowments of the state.
Tassaduq Mufti said this today while chairing his first meeting of Tourism Department to review the progress of projects, activities and proposals undertaken by the department under various central and state sector schemes, according to an official spokesperson.
Mufti also expressed hope for working with enthusiasm, innovation and dedication towards making the state a sustainable tourist destination.
He stressed upon the officers to frame respective master plans and vision documents incorporating tourist attractions based on resource potential, regional cultural identity, heritage architecture, road connectivity and access to derive socio-economic benefits while ensuring environmental preservation.
He further said that digital media and social media play an indispensable role in today’s world to showcase the plethora of activities and experiences that the state tourism industry has to offer. “Priority has to be attached to successfully utilize these platforms”, he added.
Minister of State for Tourism, PriyaSethi was also present in the meeting.
Among others the meeting was attended by Advisor (Infrastructure and Development) to the Government, Pradeep Singh; Secretary Tourism, SarmadHafeez; Director Tourism Jammu, SmitaSethi; Joint Directors and CEOs from Jammu Province.
The minister was informed in the meeting that under centrally sponsored scheme ‘SwadeshDarshan’, various projects are being undertaken by the department including construction of amusement water park near Sidhra Golf Course, construction of musical water fountains with light and sound show at Bagh-e-Bahu, development of Suchetgarh Border Tourism and establishment of world class amenities supported by smart solar illumination, tourist pathways and solid water management at Katra.
It was also given out that under Prime Minister’s Development Programme to discover unexplored tourist destinations, projects like development of convention facilities at Sidhra Golf Course, Development of tourist facilities at JhajjarKotli, Panchari, Siard baba, Bhagwati Nagar and Akhnoor are being taken up by the department along with promoting ‘highway tourism’.