Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Tuesday that ordinary citizens were taking a stand against Pakistan-backed terrorism through street protests which was a good sign for establishing peace in the Valley.
Stressing that the development of the tourism sector is possible only in a peaceful and secure environment, he said the people of Jammu and Kashmir should ensure that terrorists’ attempts to draw sustenance from society are foiled.
Sinha was addressing a two-day tourism conference at SKICC that is also being attended by Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
“Ordinary citizens are taking a stand against terrorism. Street protests against Pakistan-backed terrorists is a good sign to establish permanent peace in the valley.
“Entire Jammu Kashmir must rise and make sure terrorists have no place in this beautiful Union Territory,” Sinha posted on his official X handle.
“This conference is a befitting reply to terrorism and reflects J&K’s march towards peace, progress and prosperity. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, J&K is an unstoppable force and it will continue to flourish,” the LG said.
According to an official press release, Sinha said J&K’s tourism sector has undergone a phenomenal transformation in the last few years.
“We’ve strengthened traditional tourism circuits and expanded tourism’s horizon. We have ensured that the benefits of tourism reach every corner of J&K and transform lives,” he said.
“The development of the tourism sector is possible only in a peaceful and secure environment. In J&K, security forces have a huge role in ending terrorism, but the role of society is also no less.
“Terrorists’ attempt to draw their sustenance from society should be foiled,” he added.
The LG also observed that the “G20 Tourism Working Group meeting was a defining moment in J&K’s history and helped in building the brand J&K in the global tourism sector. This was followed by major international and national events which not only showcased our organizational capabilities but presented J&K as a destination for luxury, film, entertainment, and global engagement.”
The LG also reiterated the administration’s commitment to promote sustainable tourism, under the SPREAD (Strategic Promotion and Revamping of Emerging Alternate Destinations in J&K). This strategy aims to mitigate environmental pressure by diversifying tourist activities to lesser-known and emerging destinations.
“Our aim is to bring nine emerging destinations on the national-international tourism map and provide direct employment to at least five lakh people in the first year and these destinations will be able to attract high value tourists,” he added.
“We are also exploring ways to develop a two phase ropeway for Amarnath shrine to facilitate the old-aged and divyangjan,” the LG further said.
- Vidyavathi, Union Secretary, Tourism; Suman Billa, Additional Secretary & Director General, Tourism; Gyan Bhushan, Senior Economic Advisor, Tourism, Praveen Kumar Rai, Joint Secretary, MHA; Tourism Secretaries, officials from Government of India and UT administration, panellists and experts were present.
