Srinagar, July 8 : Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said that the Valley is witnessing an unprecedented surge in tourism and development, crediting the peace and infrastructure efforts made in recent years.
Addressing a gathering at SKICC Srinagar, Sinha said that Kashmir’s beauty and spiritual richness have long attracted people from all walks of life. “If there is any heaven on this earth, it is here, as a famous poet once said,” he remarked. “From Shankaracharya to Sheikh-ul-Alam, this valley has been blessed by saints and sufis,” he added.
According to KNS, Sinha said that after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, tourism in Kashmir saw a major boost. “Last year alone, over 2.5 crore tourists visited the Valley,” he said. He added that new segments like pilgrimage tourism and border tourism have also grown rapidly.
The Lieutenant Governor highlighted that Kashmir hosting the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting was a historic milestone. “It sent a strong message globally that Kashmir is ready for international engagement,” he said.
“Events like the international winter games and the Kashmir Marathon, which saw participation from 13 countries, reflect the confidence of the global community,” he added.
Sinha also spoke about the government’s homestay policy, which was introduced in 2022.“It has empowered many local youth, especially women. Today, more than 65% of homestays in Kashmir are managed by women,” he said.
He said the Centre’s SPREAD initiative (Special Projects for Revival of Emerging and Aspiring Destinations) is helping to promote lesser-known tourist spots. “We are focusing on sustainable development and inclusive growth,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor announced that a large piece of land in Srinagar’s Tattu Ground, earlier under army control, has now been freed and will soon be developed into a water park. “This will provide a new recreational space for locals and tourists,” he added.
He also said that a ropeway is being constructed on the Mata Vaishno Devi route to further boost pilgrimage facilities.
Sinha highlighted the revival of Bollywood in Kashmir with the help of a new film policy. “For 40 years, Bollywood stayed away from the Valley. Now we are working to reconnect Kashmir with the Indian film industry,” he said.
He said more than 5,000 new hotels have come up across the Valley, showing growing investment and confidence in the region.
Referring to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Sinha said, “Every Kashmiri came out in solidarity. This shows the change in mindset and the people’s commitment to peace.”(KNS)
