JAMMU — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said cable cars alone cannot drive tourism growth in the Union Territory’s potential destinations, stressing the need for a comprehensive approach focusing on infrastructure, connectivity and sustainable development.
Abdullah also said the government has not yet found a suitable party to take over and operate the international yoga and wellness centre at Mantalai in Udhampur district, and fresh efforts will be made to outsource the facility.
Replying to a supplementary question raised by National Conference MLA from Karnah, Javaid Ahmad Mirchal, on plans to construct a cable car project in his constituency, Abdullah cautioned against the assumption that such an initiative alone would attract a large number of tourists.
He said comparisons are often drawn with Gulmarg, where the gondola has become a major attraction.
“There is a tendency to believe that if a similar facility is installed elsewhere, tourist inflow will automatically follow. This is a misconception,” Abdullah, who also holds tourism portfolio, said.
Citing examples, he pointed out that cable car projects in Srinagar, Jammu and Patnitop have not witnessed footfall comparable to Gulmarg. “There is a clear and significant difference in tourist numbers.” The chief minister emphasised that tourism development requires a comprehensive and area-specific strategy.
Admitting that more could have been done in the past to harness the tourism potential of Karnah, Abdullah said the border region represented by the MLA is exceptionally beautiful, but remains backward and largely unexplored.
“There is no denying the need to significantly promote tourism in remote and underdeveloped areas,” he said, highlighting the region’s strong potential for adventure tourism, including hiking and trekking, in addition to its natural scenic appeal.
Advocating sustainable and inclusive development, he suggested that instead of focusing solely on large hotel infrastructure, efforts should be directed towards promoting homestays at the grassroots level, ensuring direct economic benefits to local communities.
The chief minister said tourism department is making continuous efforts to bring more areas with tourism potential on the tourism map, subject to feasibility and availability of resources.
In reply to a question by BJP’s Shakti Raj Parihar, the chief minister said the tourism Department remains committed to strengthening tourism infrastructure and improving visitor facilities at major tourist destinations in Doda including Lal Draman, Dedni, Dal Draman, Ramrachna, Galadhar and Dessa.
He said the government is presently examining a proposal for the notification of new tourism-worthy areas in the Union Territory, which also includes certain locations in Doda including Udhrana and Sarna in Bhaderwah, Nalthi, Chinta, Guldanda, Padri, Khaleni Top, Lal Draman, Doda (Municipal Limits) and Shibnote Premna.
In response to a point raised by BJP’s Balwant Singh Mankotia about the failure of the government to outsource the international yoga and well centre at Mantalai, Abdullah said this infrastructure was not created recently by the government but rather, it dates back to the time when Dhirendra Brahmachari had established his ashram there which was later taken over by the government.
“This is not a new issue where we have only now started trying to outsource it. Even under previous governments, including the one I was part of about six years ago, we made sincere efforts to find a suitable party that could take over and manage the facility, and organise yoga and spiritual tourism activities there,” he said.
However, the chief minister said so far, the government has not been able to find a suitable party.
“Our efforts are ongoing, and we remain hopeful that we will soon be able to float a fresh Expression of Interest (EOI). We also intend to relax certain terms and conditions slightly, so that it becomes more viable and attractive for potential operators,” he said.
He said his government is optimistic that once a credible and capable party comes forward, the facility will be promptly handed over to them so that the facility becomes functional, and at the same time, the asset is preserved and put to proper use. — (PTI)