Ishtiyaq Kar
Srinagar, Oct 06 (KNS): Lieutenant Governor (LG) Manoj Sinha government’s proactive efforts are making a significant impact on the growth of rural tourism in the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.
The Stakeholders of tourism believe that under the leadership of LG Manoj Sinha, rural tourism initiatives have gained substantial momentum, bringing newfound opportunities and prosperity to villages and remote areas.
One of the cornerstones of LG Sinha's initiatives is the improvement of infrastructure in rural areas. “This includes the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, and transportation networks, which have made these otherwise inaccessible areas more tourist-friendly. Enhanced connectivity has not only eased the travel experience for tourists but has also facilitated economic growth for the local communities,” said one of the stakeholders.
A top hotelier here in Sriangar told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS), that the results of LG Sinha's efforts are already evident.
“Rural areas that were once struggling with economic stagnation are now experiencing a revitalization of their local economies. Small businesses, such as homestays, local eateries, and artisan shops, have flourished due to the increased tourist traffic. Many villagers have found employment as tour guides, drivers, and hospitality staff, reducing unemployment rates and improving living conditions,” he said.
They observers said that LG Manoj Sinha's leadership has not only rejuvenated rural tourism but has also rekindled a sense of pride and cultural preservation among the local communities.
“Villages that were once on the brink of decline are now embracing their unique identities and welcoming tourists with open arms. The influx of village tourists has injected a new lease of life into local economies, bringing in much-needed revenue and employment prospects,” they said.
It is to mention here that the Jammu and Kashmir Union territory government led by Manooj Sinha is developing unexplored tourist destinations in the Valley especially in the villages, in order to ease the rush of visitors to the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg and other known picturesque spots.
Officials here in the tourism department told KNS, that the influx of tourists to villages is witnessing a push in the rural economy, as well as employment generation.
“Some of the new tourist destinations in the villages have been able to attract a lot of tourists and it has given a push to the Home Stay program in these villages,” one of the tourism officials said, insisting not to be named.
According to the government, the aim of the administration was to develop 181 villages across Jammu and Kashmir as tourist villages under the tourist village development programme.
The officials said that under the mission youth initiative, the government was trying to rope in unemployed youth in the rural areas to create the Home Stay facilities for the stay of tourists.
The J&K government had already announced a scheme for the unemployed youth in the rural areas who are interested in getting connected with the tourism and hospitality service sector.
J&K government provides Rs 10 lakh, including Rs 8.50 lakh from a banking partner, to such youth. Mission Youth J&K provides a special upfront incentive (subsidy) of Rs 1.5 lakh or 15% of the project cost (whichever is minimum), along with a special subsidy of Rs 3.5 lakh towards loan repayment.
It is to mention here that the Panchari village of Udhampur in Jammu province was the first village to be declared as the tourist village with Home Stay facilities by the J&K government under the Tourist Village Development Programme (TVDP).
Panchari village was brimming with activities as there is a lot of tourist influx into this village as more and more tourists are coming to enjoy their holidays here.
First tourist village in Kashmir province to come into the tourism map was Anderwali hamlet of Sangerwani village in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Many tourist groups have stayed so far in Anderwali of Pulwama and some youth have started making Home Stay facilities in this village due to the rush of tourists.
The government takes into consideration scenic beauty, adventurous terrain, art and cultural significance, history and archaeology of that village before selecting it as a tourist village.
The ambitious programme has the potential to mobilize the diverse geographical and socio-economic landscape of the entire Jammu and Kashmir region.
The main objectives of the programme are to develop new tourism destinations that integrate social, cultural, and spiritual characteristics with economic aspects, providing the necessary infrastructure for tourists within these selected villages.
The villages included in the programme were selected based on their potential for rural tourism in consultation with the Tourism Department and an expert committee of Mission Youth.
This initiative aims to promote homestays across the UT, strengthen the rural economy, encourage youth entrepreneurship, and provide employment opportunities for women in the tourism sector.
The initiative also recognizes the potential of J-K for film shootings and aims to promote filming in the region by offering financial aid to villages for their sustainable development.
"Destinations that lag behind in the sphere of tourism infrastructure can overcome the downsides by introducing homestays as a means of accommodation facilities for tourists which do not require heavy investment," the officials added.(KNS)