J&K ideally suited for floriculture industry: Sham

Contact:-ajmeralam2000@gmail.com/Cell:-919906103001

“Flower business can be very profitable, especially in J&K state where this industry has lot of potential as well as suitable climate to prosper”.

This was stated by Minister for Floriculture, Horticulture and Health, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma in the inaugural session of two- day workshop on Development of Commercial Floriculture (Including Tulip) in Jammu & Kashmir in Hotel Le Meridian here today.

The workshop has been collectively organized by Agricultural and Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce, GOI, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Department of Floriculture, Govt. of J&K.

He said that this is the right time for the Floriculture department along with the subject related agencies in the country to come forward and work in the state, as under the present leadership in the state and the centre the budgetary constraint is no more a matter of concern for the growth in Floriculture in J&K.

Our state has the potential and necessary support but to understand the supply-demand pattern both at the domestic, national as well as the international markets, workshops like these can be of great assistance. The Minister was also of the opinion that the said workshop should give a road map as to how the missing links can be identified and filled so that this natural resource can be developed thus generating lot of employment opportunities for the youth of the state.

The Minister of State for Floriculture, Horticulture, Health, Agriculture and R&B Mr. Javed Ahmed Dar was the Guest of Honor at the Workshop. He was very hopeful of the fact that holding the Workshop with all sections of the Flower Industry especially the growers and transporters participating itself shows the seriousness of the govt. towards the sector as well as the interest of the National Level players in the field to guide us. The Minister appreciated the efforts of Principal Secretary Agriculture Production, Floriculture and Horticulture Mrs. Sonali Kumar to have taken the initiative in this field and brought together different agencies to come together and help the state govt. in this field.

Mrs. Sonali Kumar in her introductory remarks conveyed lot of enthusiasm and hope in the very fact that if we are able to make use of this workshop in an effective manner it will surely be of great help to the Floriculture as an industry in the State. APEDA was represented by its Chairman Mr. Asit Tripathy and FAO by Mr. David Kahan. A special presentation was given by Mr Vijay Sardana, MD APRL and Consultant FAO on the Findings of the Field Survey of Value Chain of Floriculture.

The workshop was also attended by the growers from Jammu and Kashmir and people working in the field of Floriculture at different capacities. Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah is also expected to grace the workshop tomorrow and discuss the action plan so emerged.

Omar stresses on preserving State’s tourist places

Contact:-ajmeralam2000@gmail.com/Cell:-919906103001

Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah Friday called for a coordinated approach to preserve and protect the State’s eco-balance adding that conservation of its scenic splendour and natural beauty is imperative to salvage future. “God has bestowed upon us His blessings in the shape of beautiful valleys, transparent water bodies, murmuring springs, dancing brooks, enchanting and marvelous mountains with forest wealth and flora and fauna of vast varieties”, he said and emphasized on mass awareness about the importance of protection of these natural treasures. The Chief Minister who is also the Chairman of Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) was chairing the 4^th meeting of the PDA at Pahalgam. The Minister for Tourism, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister of State for Tourism, Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani, Commissioner Secretary Planning and Development, Mr. B. B. Vyas, Commissioner Secretary Finance, Mr. Sudhanshu Pandey, Secretary Tourism, Ms Tanveer Jahan, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag and other members of PDA were present in the meeting. Mr. Omar said that the Tourism Department and other agencies linked with this field have a pivotal role to safeguard the beautiful tourist places and create infrastructure there in complete conformity with the requirements of ecology and environment. “The haphazard and unplanned development of tourist resorts not only unbalances the natural beauty but also adds to uncalled for pollution”, he said and asked the Development Authorities to be scientific and pragmatic in carrying forward the plans for tourist facilities. The Chief Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir has been the heaven on earth, many more years before Kerala was ‘God’s own country’ and our efforts should be to restore this unique and prime position of the State on international tourist map. “It has been felt since recently that tourists from east are showing more enthusiasm in visiting Kashmir”, he said and asked the Tourism Department to endeavour for strengthening this trend and encouraging more and more visitors from non-traditional areas while putting in place efforts to revive the tourist flow from the western countries. Underlining the importance of Pahalgam as a famous picnic spot for the national and international tourists of all categories, Mr. Omar said that this tourist resort requires focused attention for receiving large number of tourists and pilgrims every year. “While adequate and befitting facilities are to be created, the attention has to be concentrated on maintaining the clean and palatable environment”, he maintained. The meeting discussed various matters pertaining to the development of the areas and villages within the jurisdiction of PDA. Upgradation of water supply, electric and medical facility, improvement of Pahalgam-Aru road, beautification and landscaping, laying of parks, development of land near amusement park, strengthening and construction of sewerage network, development of golf course, development of Mandlana village as a tourist village, development of Betab Valley, Master Plan for Greater Pahalgam, development of roller skating and promotion of youth tourism also came up for discussion in the meeting. The CEO of PDA gave a resume of the activities and functioning of the Authority and explained the agenda items in detail.

JK Govt determined to revive old tourist glory of State: Omar

Contact:-ajmeralam2000@gmail.com/Cell:-919906103001

*Eastern and Central Asian countries emerging as new tourist catchment areas for the state

*Role of lacks of people associated with tourism pivotal to rebuild the infrastructure

“Tourism is the back bone of the economy of the Jammu and Kashmir State and the glorious historical role of people of Kashmir to give new dimension to world tourism is hard reality and same cannot be erased by few adverse incidents which crippled this industry during last two decades”, said Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah while interacting with representatives associated with tourism sector at an impressive function held at Grand Palace organized by Travel Agents Society of Kashmir.

Omar Abdullah agreed with the representative of tourist trade that rumours spread and exaggerated through international media regarding presence of Taliban in Kashmir has affected tourist arrivals to some extent but at the same time he complimented Tourism Minister Mr. Rigzin Jora for holding press conference recently at TRC and refuting these rumours vehemently. He said this press communication helped at National and International level to restore the confidence of the tourist destined to come to Kashmir valley.

On the occasion, Minister for Tourism Mr. Jora, Minister of State for Toruism, Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani, Political Advisor to Chief Minister Mr. Davinder Rana, Secretary Tourism Ms. Tanveer Jehan, Director Information Mr. Farooq Renzu, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Mr. Mehraj Kakroo, Director Tourism, Farooq Shah, President Travel Agents Society, Kashmir Mr. Abdul Khaliq Wangnoo, Mr. Mubin Sha, Mr. Nazir Bakshi and other distinguished personalities from tourism, Industries and Commerce and Media were present.

Mr. Omar Abdullah said that he is himself daily monitoring the arrival position of the tourists and he has himself detected that now flow of tourists arriving from our own country, neighboring countries, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, other eastern countries and Central Asia, is increasing, While as, tourist arrival graph from west is simultaneously showing sharp decline. He said this is the time for tourism department to concentrate on this shift of tourist flow and play its role in attracting people from these countries by launching publicity campaign.

During the interaction, the Chief Minister said that livelihood of lakh of people is associated with this trade. He further stated that during last two decades this industry was worst hit as a result of which not only big houses associated with this trade but the tour operators, hotel owners, shikara and Houseboat owners, artisans associated with handicrafts, cottage industry received colossal economic setbacks. Therefore time has come to rebuilt our tourist infrastructure in such a manner so that besides having international compatibility this sector shall be able to regain all the losses which this industry has suffered during recent past.

Mr. Omar said that with more introduction of innovative winter tourism games in Gulmarg and exploring new destinations for the same, state government is poised to make the J&K State round the year tourist destination. He said that once tourist flow increases maximum number of flights can be attracted to operate between various destinations to the state which will help in boosting our economy. He said that he has found positive trends during current year as maximum investors are coming forward to enrich tourist infrastructure in the state so that we are able to provide accommodation to large chunk of people.

The Chief Minister also said that Tourism Development Authorities throughout the state are being augmented not only to develop their respective tourist areas but also attract tourists to these new destinations. He said that he has himself visited various newly created Tourist Destination Areas and shall be visiting other new tourist destinations so that they are developed on modern lines. He said that we have to acknowledge that God has made our state as the real heaven on earth and it is responsibility of all of us to preserve this piece of heaven in its originality and help all intending tourists to fully enjoy this God given treasure so that they return with good impression and spread the same like our own ambassadors of tourism.

The Chief Minister also said that our Golf Tourism has started attracting international golfers as our Royal Spring Golf Course is one of the best Golf courses in the world. The continuous golf tournaments which are being played in this course has helped us in projecting beauty of the state in a better manner. However, Tourism Department has to work further in their publicity campaign as other states do.