Jammu:Advisor to Lt Governor, KK Sharma today called for developing Surinsar-Mansar Lakes as eco-tourism destinations.
The Advisor was speaking at a meeting convened to review the developmental activities taken up by the Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority.
Secretary Tourism Zubair Ahmed; Director Tourism, Jammu Deepika K Sharma; CEO Surinsar Mansar Development Authority Nagendra Singh Jamwal; Chief Town Planner Iftikhar Hakeem; Director Planning Tourism, Prevaiz Kakro and other senior officers of the department attended the meeting.
The Advisor, while directing for speeding up the development of tourist infra in the area, called for taking necessary steps for preservation of the ecology and exploring the pilgrimage importance of the area. “This will help to give tourism activity requisite impetus without interfering with the environment,” he added.
While asking for developing the twin lakes as eco tourism destinations, the Advisor said that the latest concepts and ideas being implemented in other parts of the globe, with similar topography, should also be explored. He asked the department to take cue from various success models so that the area comes up as a model eco tourism destination in the area.
The Advisor also directed for creating adequate infra for the stay of tourists. To increase tourist footfall, he stressed on improving the accessibility of the area and directed for formulating a comprehensive connectivity plan for the purpose.
“Other required measures should also be put in place, in consultation with the experts, so that the twin lakes (Surinsar and Mansar) with great religious, cultural and environmental significance are properly conserved,” the Advisor directed.
The meeting also discussed the possibility of including other areas with tourism and pilgrimage potential in the ambit of Surinsar- Mansar Development Authority.