Farooq praises Govt’s efforts to revive tourism
Srinagar, Sep 29: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Monday threw open seven tourist spots in the valley that were closed in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
The tourist spots were opened following directions issued by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha after a meeting of the Unified Headquarters on Friday.
“After a thorough security review and discussion in today’s UHQ meeting, I’ve ordered reopening of more tourist spots in Kashmir and Jammu Divisions, which were temporarily closed as precautionary measures,” Sinha said in a post on X on Friday.
The LG administration shut down nearly 50 tourist spots following the terror attack at Baisaran in the Pahalgam area on April 22, in which heavily-armed terrorists shot dead 26 people — mostly tourists.
The seven tourist spots that were reopened in the Kashmir division include Aru Valley, Rafting Point Yanner, Akkad Park, Padshahi Park and Kaman Post.
The LG had ordered the reopening of five tourist spots in the Jammu division as well. These include Dagan Top in Ramban, Dhaggar in Kathua and Shiv Cave in Salal, Reasi.
The LG administration had reopened 16 tourist destinations, including some parts of Pahalgam, in June.
Meanwhile, National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah on Monday welcomed the reopening of more tourist destinations across Jammu and Kashmir, and lauded the state government for its efforts to revive tourism in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.
The NC chief extended warm greetings to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and all those across the globe who admire the region for its unmatched natural beauty and rich cultural heritage on World Tourism Day, according to an official statement.
He lauded the Omar Abdullah-led government for its role in “reviving the tourism sector during challenging times”, particularly in the aftermath of the Pahalgam tragedy. “The Omar Abdullah-led administration responded swiftly and effectively to restore tourist confidence, thereby reaffirming J&K’s reputation as a safe and welcoming destination. These efforts laid a strong foundation for sustainable and long-term tourism growth,” the senior Abdullah said.
Welcoming the reopening of more tourist destinations, the NC president emphasised the need for inclusive development, urging equal focus on regions such as Chenab and Pir Panjal.
