हिंदी
Stresses for incorporation of local architecture, materials in tourism construction works
KARGIL, MAY 05, 2021: On the 4th day of his Kargil tour, Secretary, Tourism and Culture UT Ladakh Mehboob Ali Khan inspected the status of tourism development works besides the status of tourism assets and wayside amenities for tourists on the Kargil-Zanskar National Highway NH-301 at Suru Valley here on Tuesday.
Chief Executing Officer Kargil Development Authority (KDA) Ghulam Mohiuddin Wani, Assistant Director Tourism Aga Syed Toha, Executive Engineer KDA Sajjad Hussain Wazir, besides other concerned officers accompanied the Secretary during the tour.
The Secretary visited several tourist attraction sites, picnic spots, cultural and heritage sites at Suru Valley including Karpo Khar, Karchay Khar, Ashanathang, Damsna, Thuina, Khachan, Panikhar, Parkachik, Tangole, Rangdum and adjoining areas and assessed the possibilities for augmentation of necessary facilities for tourists besides the improvement and further establishment of tourism related assets.
At Ashanathang, the Secretary said that the NHPC Headwork Dam will be developed as a rafting and boating spot. He further said that an amusement park for children with various facilities can also be established near Picnic Spot Thuina, adding he said that possibilities will also be explored to connect the area with the Thuina Glacier by way of constructing a dedicated path.
The Secretary also inspected the Tourist Dak Bungalow Sankoo and stressed for its necessary renovation. He instructed the concerned officers to ensure the incorporation of local architecture in the building design during renovation both internally and externally.
While underscoring the historical importance of Karpokhar as a historic village in whole Ladakh, the Secretary said that measures will be taken after proper consultation with experts to convert the village into a heritage site including the preservation and up-gradation of the historic shrine of the eminent Islamic scholar Syed Mir Hashim.
The Secretary also directed the concerned officers to pursue the development of the historical polo ground Karpokhar Shagaran into an eco-park with the executing agency while also ensuring that it’s natural form is retained as much as possible.
Meanwhile, during his inspection of the Tourist Dak Bungalow Purtickchay, the Secretary while emphasizing the importance of Purtickchay village as the first view point to the majestic Nun Kun peaks in the area directed the AD Tourism Kargil to prepare necessary DPR for up-gradation of the Dak Bungalow and also explore the possibility of astro-tourism as the location appears to be best suited for this purpose.
At Damsna, the Secretary directed the officers to explore the possibilities for establishment of a children’s amusement park, ski slopes for winter sports besides a rafting point from Kochay Bridge to Damsna while at Panikhar he said that Choskore Thang has the potential for hiking, mountaineering and leisure walks/eco-tourism.
To augment tourist facilities at Tangole, the Secretary instructed the officers to carry out the planned/approved renovation of Dak Bungalow Tangole. He further added that the problem of electricity and water should be sorted out while exploring the best sustainable mode at the earliest.
The Secretary also instructed the concerned officers concerned to follow-up with the approved renovation of the alpine hut at Parkachik to augment facilities for tourists in the area which has immense potential for rock climbing and other adventure sports.
Later, the Secretary also visited the historic Rangdum Monastery where the Head Lama Tsering Tundup briefed him about the historical and religious significance of the monastery.
The Secretary emphasized that apart Rangdum Monastery, there are a number of important trekking routes originating from Rangdum, adding he said that Rangdum is an established fishing site and its promotion along with identifying eligible home stays as per norms will encourage tourists to stay in the area.
