KUPWARA: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Khalid Jahangir today said that District Administration Kupwara has contemplated a plan to boost the adventure tourism in the district for which local youth shall be given necessary training of trekking within this week.
The DC said this during a meeting convened to review the possibilities of adventure tourism and trekking facilities in Kupwara district.
The meeting held threadbare discussion to exploit various modalities to boost the tourism sector in the district; for which the DC received feedback and suggestions from the concerned officers.
The DC said that nature has bestowed Kupwara with scenic beauty, lush green forests and crystal clear waters which provide an enormous potential for tourism related activities and tourism development.
Khalid Jahangir appealed to all stakeholders including the public especially youth to provide their bit in building Kupwara district as tourist destination for trekkers, adventurists, border tourists and nature lovers.
He also asked officers to work with synergy and convergence and bring a plan within three days for development of facilities to meet the requirements for trekking activities in the district. He said to begin with, the officers need to choose moderate and short passages so that the local youth could be encouraged.
The DC said participation of local youth is a basic requirement for sustainability of tourism activities in the district which will provide livelihood to the unemployed educated youth and also provide scope for building tourism destinations in the district.
It was informed that a one day training programme has been scheduled for June 9 at TRC Kupwara to impart necessary training regarding trekking and tourist guiding to the local youth. It was also informed that various trekking routes have already been identified in the district which are safest and tourist friendly.
The DC directed concerned officers to install signages and construct rain shelters and other basic infrastructure to facilitate the trekkers. He asked them to take advantage of this summer season and build all required facilities so that in the next season Kupwara should bloom as a trekking destination for national and international trekkers besides local youth.
Regarding hospitality, Khalid Jahangir said the district Kupwara is famous for its hospitality adding that there is a lot of scope to further channelize it as per the requirement and sensitivity of the tourists for which stakeholders need to be given proper knowhow and training regarding the latest trends of hospitality.
The DC said that there is a need to encourage locals for upgrading their houses to promote homestays in hitherto unexplored areas in border areas including Teetwal, Keran, Machil, Mawar for homestay so that the tourists who visit these areas can have proper facilities to stay there.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Ghulam Nabi Bhat who is also CEO LBDDA; DFOs, Executive Engineer R&B and concerned officers attended the meeting.