Secretary Mehboob Ali Khan conducts extensive tour of Barsoo area
Stresses for development of tourism infrastructure, assures all possible measures for employment opportunities to youth through tourism promotion
KARGIL, JULY 10, 2021: As a part of his ongoing tour of Kargil District, Secretary Tourism, Culture, Labour and Employment Ladakh Kacho Mehboob Ali Khan today had an extensive visit of various historical, cultural and heritage sites of Barsoo area where he also met with several public delegations.
Director Tourism Ladakh Kunzes Angmo, CEO Kargil Development Authority Abdul Gaffar Zargar, SDM Sankoo Ghulam Mohiuddin Wani, Assistant Director Tourism Aga Syed Toha, Under Secretary Tourism Arifa Iqbal lone, Executive Engineer KDA Sajjad Hussain Wazir besides other concerned officers accompanied the Secretary during the visit.
Public representatives including Councilor Thasgam Constituency Abdul Rahim, Councilor Barsoo Sheikh Ghulam Muhammad Ansari, BDC Chairpersons, Sarpanchs, Nambardars and the inhabitants of various villages met the Secretary and put forward several demands regarding the promotion of tourism, preservation of historical and religious sites, opening up of new trekking routes, identification of picnic spots and public parks and various other related issues.
After giving a patient hearing to the projected demands related to tourism promotion in the area, the Secretary assured the locals that all possible measures will be taken by the Administration to fulfill the demands.
While highlighting the importance of Barsoo area as a religious and cultural tourist site, the Secretary said that Administration is all set to bring the area on the tourist map of the district.
Secretary Mehboob Ali Khan directed the concerned officers of KDA to take immediate necessary measures to preserve the mausoleum of Rgyal Khatoon at Karchay Khar and directed them to keep the structure as local as possible. He also directed to outsource the guest house at Karchay Khar to make it functional, and also instructed to lay down the footpath tiles on the footpath to the Maitreya Buddha Statue at Karchey Khar, adding he also gave directions to provide basic facilities like beautification of the area and proper toilet facilities for tourists.
Meanwhile, Secretary Tourism assured that various trekking routes from Kaser, Lakpa, Bakmokatpa, Lamikla, Rousila, Itchu,Rangdum trekking routes will be included in the tourist map of Kargil District. He directed the concerned officers to provide basic facilities like benches, lights and toilet facilities to maintain the eco park at Chibar village.
While highlighting the potential of Yarkashing Hot Water Springs as a tourist attraction in the area, the Secretary Tourism directed the concerned officers to lay down the footpath tiles on way to reach the water spring. He also directed to construct a foot bridge at Chagarspang Shargandi Picnic Spot along with other basic amenties for the visiting tourists.
The Secretary Tourism said that necessary training will be provided to the local youths of Barsoo area regarding tourism hospitality and management. He also assured that keeping in view the employment generation for the youths, the provision of providing guest houses and homestays along with all basic facilities will be provided soon to the local entrepreneurs.
The Secretary also stressed the locals to ensure the labour registration of the local laborers with the Labour Department so that the labour community can avail the various benefits from the UT Administration like compensation, medical care, pension, scholarships for the children and various other benefits. He also said that a camp will be organized by the Labour Department Kargil in Sankoo area soon.
