Srinagar, May 23 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said that after a long pause of almost 4 decades Jammu and Kashmir's relationship with Bollywood has been revived and in 2021 Film Policy was launched to attract more investment. 

 

Addressing G20 Tourism Working Group meeting in Srinagar, Sinha, as per Kashmir News Service (KNS) said that Jammu Kashmir is witnessing a new era that has opened limitless possibilities of growth and peace. 

 

He said that now even foreign investments are also coming into Jammu and Kashmir and green shoots of better times people are anxiously looking up to.

 

"After a long pause of almost 4-decades, we have revived the relationship with Bollywood and launched a film policy in 2021 to attract more investment into film sector and to make Jammu Kashmir most popular film shooting destination," he said. 

 

Sinha said that tourism sector in Jammu Kashmir has been accorded the status of Industry and all fiscal incentives as per our Industrial Policy and "I can tell you, we are receiving massive investment proposals from the Industries in Hospitality sector."

 

He also said that it is a matter of great pride for 13 million citizens of the Union Territory to host this G20 meeting of tourism working group that is deliberating on global architecture for sustainable tourism.

 

"Jammu Kashmir have always been a centre of wisdom, knowledge, inclusive culture & breathtaking landscape that is divine to travelers. Famous poet Amir Khusro while describing natural beauty of J&K had said -If there is a paradise on earth, it is this, it is this, it is this," he said. 

 

Sinha said that for almost 30 years, this land of peaceful co-existence of almost all religious sects had to suffer state sponsored terrorism by the neighbouring country.

 

"Deep dive initiatives demonstrate India's resolve that Jammu Kashmir should also benefit from the virtues of democracy like the rest of the states and Union Territories. Jammu Kashmir stands among the developed regions of India on some measurable milestones, and we are committed for people's prosperity both economically and socially," he said. 

 

He also said that grassroots democracy has been strengthened, new industries are coming up, rapid agricultural growth is making the villages prosperous, infrastructure development is progressing rapidly and emphasis on technology is transforming Jammu Kashmir into a digital society.

 

"The majestic peaks, crystal-clear lakes and serene green landscape of Jammu Kashmir is more than a tourism destination. It is a poetry. It's a land of realisation. It is an energy field vibrating with the ageless Indian cultural values."

 

Sinha further said that numbers are adding to the narrative. "Last year, a record number of 18 million tourists visited Jammu Kashmir and, in the last year tourism sector made 7% contribution to Jammu Kashmir GDP".

 

He said that they have identified 300 new destinations to promote green tourism, small & medium enterprises, youth and women entrepreneurs and involve local communities to support the sustainable tourism. (KNS)