Anantnag, Sept 27:
Aru Valley in Pahalgam has been recognized as one of the 36 winners in the Best Tourism Villages Competition 2024, announced by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, on Friday. The announcement was made on the occasion of World Tourism Day at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
The Best Tourism Villages Competition, organized by the Rural Tourism wing of the Ministry, aims to honor villages that exemplify sustainable rural tourism by showcasing cultural and natural assets and promoting community-based values. The initiative seeks to make tourism a driver of positive change, rural development, and community well-being.
Tariq Hussain, Chief Executive Officer of Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA), expressed pride in receiving the award, stating it will boost tourism in Aru Valley. “On World Tourism Day, Aru Valley was recognized as the Best Adventure Tourism Village,” he said. The award was presented to J&K Commissioner Secretary, Tourism, Yasha Mudgal, and adventure guide Khursheed Ahmad Wani.
Aru Valley serves as a base camp for several popular trekking routes, including Lidderwat, Tarsar Marsar, Kuali Glacier, and Sheeshnag. The valley offers adventure activities such as paragliding and ziplining, with plans to introduce a drag lift to promote skiing. Hussain highlighted the valley’s excellent road connectivity, mobile services, camping facilities, and its appeal to foreign tourists.
The award ceremony was attended by Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union Minister of Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi, and Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, all of whom came together to promote India’s tourism sector and present awards to the winners.
