Handwara, July 28 (KNS): Vast meadows of Bangus valley in Handwara area of North Kashmir's Kupwara district has recorded a massive footfall of local tourists in the past few years particularly in recent few weeks, but the tourism department has failed to conduct a single event in Bangus Valley for its promotion.
Locals told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that the department also failed to provide proper connectivity, guest accommodations and parking area.
They said that earlier this year the administration along with the tourism department accelerated its promotion campaign to organize tourism festivals at different tourist destinations, comprising Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Doodpathri, Gurez, and in Srinagar but failed to hold a single promotional event at Bangus Valley.
An official of Bangus Development Authority (BDA) said that a day before we had a meeting with commissioner Secretary Tourism, and they have presented a proposal there as earlier asked by tourism department to chalk out a strategy and the activities that can be carried out in Bangus Valley for its promotion.
"Last year we had conducted an event there in our own capacity, but that was a failure, because the event was held in November, when there were no tourists. This year we have been continuously writing and meeting with the tourism department to have a tourism festival but due to Covid-19, the event couldn’t be held. Since the tourism department has held tourism promotional events at other tourist destinations, We were expecting a festival here at Bangus too, but so far, it has not happened," he said.
He said that despite lack of staff they are waiting for the green signal from the Tourism department to have the mega event, and they were hopeful, like every other place.
DDC member of Mawer constituency, Khursheed Ahmaad Dar also expressed his anguish, stating that the department has failed to take any concrete steps to promote Bangus Valley.
He urged the LG Administration and Tourism department to utilize its resources and platforms to promote the Valley. (KNS)