Maintain ecology, respect building laws at tourist spots: Dir Tourism

Gulmarg, Aug 12: Director Tourism Kashmir, Raja Yaqoob, who also holds the charge of Chief Executive Officer, Gulmarg Development Authority, on Saturday said the idea behind the Meria Maati Mera Desh is to make citizens aware of their role and responsibility in making the country strong and prosperous. He said the tourism sector and stakeholders associated with it have a definite role to play in this connection.
The Director flagged off a rally of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) as part of Meri Maati Mera Desh campaign here. A plantation drive was also organized on the occasion with Director Tourism planting a sapling on the premises of Gulmarg Golf Club.
On the efforts of the Tourism Department, Raja Yaqoob said the endeavour has been, besides ensuring an increased footfall, to see that tourists return back with cherished and sweet memories. He enumerated many initiatives like complaint redressal, the establishment of a helpline desk, strict enforcement, etc taken by the department in this regard.
On the specific needs of Gulmarg, the Director Tourism said that cleanliness has been accorded top priority and many concerned quarters have appreciated the efforts in this regard. He said efforts would be made to enhance the capacity of the local Solid Waste Management plant to cope up with the waste disposal at the famed tourist destination.
Raja Yaqoob appealed to the stakeholders of Gulmarg and other tourist destinations to help the department in maintaining the ecology of these destinations and respect the rules and laws governing the building permissions so that the beauty and aesthetics of the place is maintained and the local authorities are not forced to take stringent measures to maintain the same.
Earlier, a contingent of ATVs decked up with the national flag was flagged off by the Director Tourism in the presence of senior officers of Tourism Department, GDA, J&K Cable Car Corporation, local stakeholders and tourists who were on visit to Gulmarg. The contingent of ATVs passed through the entire Gulmarg bowl to culminate at Golf Club.