A 15-day workshop on capacity building on “ecotourism and village Wildlife Tourism for tribal youth of Jammu and Kashmir was inaugurated today at SKUAST Shalimar.
The event was inaugurated Minister for Tourism Tassaduq Hussain Mufti. The programme has been organised by Division of Wildlife Sciences, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir in collaboration with Department of Tribal Affairs and the Department of Wildlife Protection and Department of Tourism, Jammu & Kashmir Government.
On the occasion, Tassaduq stressed the need for making this programme practical oriented by formulating a comprehensive plan for promotion of ecotourism as a sustainable livelihood model for tribal and other communities living around natural and protected areas.
He advised the University for submitting a viable project for financial support by the government in promoting such livelihood opportunities for the local communities. He also advised for revival of old age tradition of folk dance in communicating the significance of wildlife and its need for awareness among the local communities through traditional stage shows and Banda Pather towards ecotourism and village wildlife tourism.
Prof Nazeer Ahmed, vice vhancellor SKUAST-K speaking on the occasion highlighted the role of the Wildlife scientist of the university in promoting wildlife conservation and capacity building programme through series training programme.
Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad director extension SKUAST, Director Toursim Kashmir Mahmood Shah and Regional Wildlife Warden Kashmir Rashid Y. Naqash also spoke on the occasion. Dr. Khursheed Ahmad, Head Division of Wildlife Sciences and Programme coordinator of the training programme spelled out the activities to be carried out during the 15 days programme.