Noting that environmental issues have affected tourism in several popular destinations around the world, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said the promotion of tourism will always be subservient to the conservation of environment in the state.
"J&K has to be careful as at several popular destinations around the world, tourism has plummeted because of environmental issues, given the fact that visitors globally have become conscious of ecological conservation," he said.
The Chief Minister said the promotion of tourism will always be subservient to the conservation of "our priceless environment".
He said construction for creating basic facilities for visitors would be regulated by strictly abiding to proper procedural norms as laid down in the Master Plans.
"Resorts will be developed in a planned manner and construction for creating basic facilities for visitors will be regulated by strictly abiding to proper procedural norms, as laid down in the Master Plans," Sayeed said chairing separate reviews of Sonamarg, Wullar-Manasbal and Gulmarg Development Authorities.
Asking private stakeholders in tourism sector to plant trees to protect environment as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Sayeed asked Tourism authorities to provide mandatory guidelines to hoteliers and restaurateurs for landscaping and facade control of their assets to improve the ambiance of tourist resorts.
Calling upon promotion of well-known tourist destinations as eco-resorts, the Chief Minister also directed the Tourism Department to conceive a plan for underground ducting of power, water and telecommunication facilities so that footfall of high-spending visitors is increased.
