The Government is contemplating to promote virgin tourist destinations of Kupwara district in a big way as the Department of Tourism is going to host Lolab and Bangus festivals this month with an aim to bring these virgin tourist destinations on international tourist map.Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj and Law & Justice Abdul Haq Khan today said this while chairing a meeting of officers convened today to review the arrangements for the smooth conduct of Lolab-Bangus festival.The meeting was attended by Member Parliament Fayaz Ahmad Mir, MLA Langate Engineer Abdul Rasheed, MLA Karnah Raja Manzoor, Secretary, Tourism, Mr. Farooq Ahmad Shah, Director Tourism Kashmir and CEO Lolab- Bangus Development Authority.Abdul Haq said the festival will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on July 19th and 21st of July. He said that the festival would be organized for the promotion of Lolab-Bangus valley Valley as tourist destinations. He said, “We are hopeful that the Lolab- Bangus valley will become hub of tourism related activities in near future,".During the meeting, Minister directed the concerned to prepare plans and programmes for the development and promotion of virgin tourist destinations of the area so that more and more tourism related infrastructure can be created there for the convenience of tourists.
He said bringing Lolab-Bangus valley on tourism map would open new vistas of tourism related activities and help in a big way to boost the local economy.“This would be ideal and suitable to the tastes and needs of the tourists owing to its scenic and lush-green topography, perennial streams and adventure tracks, “Abdul Haq said.The Minister said a series of attractions would be created in Bangus and Lolab valley to incline more tourists to visit these spots. He said Government will develop an eco friendly tourism and local people will be encouraged to invest in tourism sector so that they can earn their livelihood in a big way.Abdul Haq directed the officials of Tourism and CEO Bangus-Lolab Development Authority to identify potential of other areas also and introduce them in the shape of packages outside the state. Secretary, Tourism informed that adventure tourism, Hiking, Para-gliding, Trekking, Horse Riding, Mountaineering, Biking and other adventure activities would be conducted during the festival, besides food stalls showcasing local cuisine would also be installed. He said the local youth would be roped in to install cuisine stalls so that tourists get to know about the local culture and cuisine. He said travel writers will also be invited to the place so that they communicate about these destinations to the world.