Srinagar, June 07 (KNS): Tourism department Kashmir has directed Kashmir Houseboat Owners Association and house boat owners of insuring heritage assets of the tourism sector.

According to an advisory issued by tourism department Kashmir, a copy of which lies Kashmir News Service (KNS), in the event of any untoward incident & loss of property, the owners could get at least the sum insured to enable them to repair or reconstruct these properties under rules and to sustain their livelihood.

“It is astonishing to observe that mostly the houseboat owners have not been paying heed to these advisories. Besides, keeping in view the very high cost of houseboat establishment it is once again enjoined upon the houseboat owners that besides getting their houseboat insured through registered Insurance Companies should also get fire audit conducted by the concerned authorities and install Fire Extinguishers and other fire safety measures as advised by the J&K Fire and Emergency Services Department,” reads the advisory.

It added that directorate of Tourism, Kashmir would make it mandatory at the time of grant of registration and renewal of registration certificates that the houseboats are properly insured and firefighting equipment is installed as per norms and as per the NOC issued by the Fire and Emergency Services Department.

“This advisory is issued keeping in view the interest of stakeholders and safety of tourists,” it said. (KNS)