As part of efforts to bring hitherto unknown places on tourism map, Jammu and Kashmir government has prioritised a project report of Rs eight crore for central funding for development of Chatapal, known as mini-Pahalgam, in Anantnag district of south Kashmir.
"Once the approval is received from Union Ministry for Tourism, the necessary development and tourist related infrastructure work would be started at Chatapal on Martand-Achabal trek," Tourism Minister G A Mir said.
Mir, who visited several tourism spots of Shangus, Achabal, Wangam, Watersoo, Chirpora, Metvoo and Chatapal yesterday, said the pristine glory of pilgrim site Nagdani would be also restored.
"We plan to bring Nagdani on tourism map of the Country and a detailed project has also been mooted to the Centre for approval of funds," he said.
"Tourism is the backbone of state's economy and its expansion was the priority of the government," Mir said, adding, "tourism means the prosperity of the whole state".
"We should cash Tourism and its related activities for accelerating the development of the areas and also providing the much needed job opportunities to the youth," he said and appealed all to contribute positively and not link tourism with politics and conflicts for the larger interests of the State.
The Minister said nowadays tourism is also interlinked with promotion of other potential sectors like agriculture, horticulture, handicrafts and handlooms besides adventure, pilgrim and border tourism.
"It is the responsibility of all of us to bring complete peace and normalcy in the State for providing congenial atmosphere for not only tourism boom but other trade and commerce activities in the State," he said.
The government would encourage private stakeholders for investment under tourism sector for creation of varied infrastructure facilities for the purpose besides ensuring lacerative advance incentives up to Rs one crore, he added.
