J-K Govt. promotes border tourism
By ANIFriday, June 11, 2010
SRINAGAR - The Jammu and Kashmir Government is promoting border tourism to attract more visitors to the state, and improve the economy of the villages on the International Border.
The government is planning the Chamliyal Mela, a major event, to promote border tourism in Sambha district.
The tourists here were amazed to find the border areas to be peaceful.
“The area between India and Pakistan has always been under some tensions, but when we came here, we came to know that this is an area, which has been very peaceful since a long time. People from different parts come here, who are very religious, and this place has a lot of significance,” said Rakesh, a local.
The government’s initiative to promote tourism in the border areas would economically benefit the locals living there.
“In case, we are able to motivate our tourists and take them to border at places like Chamliyal and Suchetgarh, then the people of those areas will be economically benefited,” said Parikshit Manhas, a teacher of tourism studies at Jammu University.
“Like if tourists go there for a day, they will need transportation facilities, food facilities. So for these reasons, new shops, restaurants etc., will have to be built which shall further generate revenues for the local people,” he added.
The Chamliyal Mela, which is organised every year with a lot of pomp and show witnesses the participation of people from both sides of the border. (ANI)