SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department has proposed tourism infrastructure and adventure-related works worth Rs 4.83 crore for Sopore constituency under the 2026-27 SASCI and Priority Works Plan, including renovation of VIP huts at Watlab, a water sports park, rock climbing and paragliding facilities, an eco-tourism park and development of Ningli as a tourist destination.
The proposals were disclosed by the Tourism Department in response to Un-Starred Assembly Question No. 1/6/273 tabled by Irshad Rasool Kar, MLA from Sopore, seeking details of measures taken to promote tourism in and around the constituency.
Under the proposed plan, Rs 2.48 crore has been earmarked for repair and renovation of VIP huts at Watlab. Another Rs 40 lakh has been proposed for adventure tourism activities, including rock climbing, paragliding and development of a water sports park.
The department has proposed Rs 20 lakh for development of a park at Watlab, Rs 75 lakh for eco-tourism huts at wetland sites and Rs 1 crore for developing Ningli as a tourist destination.
The six proposed interventions have a combined estimated cost of Rs 483.30 lakh.
The Tourism Department said promotion of Sopore’s tourism potential is being pursued through development of tourist infrastructure, registration of homestays, awareness programmes, local festivals, publicity campaigns and training of local youth.
Potential destinations identified for promotion include Wular Lake, the Manasbal Lake Circuit and eco-tourism sites at Ladoora and Watlab.
Local residents have also been encouraged and assisted in registering homestays under the J&K Homestay Guidelines, with the department stating that the initiative is intended to provide visitors with local experiences while creating employment opportunities.
Tourist awareness programmes, cleanliness drives and local festivals are being organised in coordination with the District Administration, Baramulla to promote the cultural heritage of Sopore.
The department said destinations in the constituency are also being promoted through its website, social-media platforms, brochures and travel marts, while local youth are being trained as tourist guides and tourism service providers under skill-development programmes.
Watlab infrastructure
The Government said several tourism assets at Watlab have already been completed.
The repair and renovation of Baba Shakur-ud-Din at Watlab, sanctioned at a cost of Rs 55 lakh, has been completed, with Rs 14.85 lakh recorded as expenditure.
The development of Z/S Usman Bibi Maryam (Bose Astan) at Tujar Sharif, Sopore, had a project cost of Rs 113.96 lakh, against which Rs 11.24 lakh had been spent, and the work has been completed.
The department also completed the upgradation of tourism assets at Watlab, including a cafeteria, six double-room huts with kitchens, a meeting hall and a five-bedroom guest house with kitchen. The project cost was Rs 48.82 lakh, with Rs 23.82 lakh recorded as expenditure.
A separate project for development of Hazrat Baba Shakur-ud-Din (RA) Shrine at Watlab Sopore, involving electrical work from the road to Ziyarat Sharif, has a sanctioned cost of Rs 12.73 lakh and is currently under progress.
The assets created at Watlab include six huts, a cafeteria, a meeting hall and a five-bedroom guest house with kitchen.
The department has initiated the process of outsourcing these facilities on an “as is where is” basis to make them operational and provide standard facilities to tourists and the general public.
The cafeteria at Watlab, located in Khenusa village of Bandipora district, has already been outsourced for three years at an annual cost of Rs 1,95,500, with a 10 percent escalation for each successive year on a compound basis.
No constituency-specific adventure project yet
Despite identifying substantial potential for adventure tourism around Wular Lake, Watlab and adjoining hills and natural landscapes, the department said there is currently no new project exclusively focused on water sports, rock climbing, paragliding or trekking in Sopore constituency.
The Government said adventure tourism is promoted across Jammu and Kashmir on an activity basis rather than through constituency-wise or area-wise projects.
Water sports, trekking, rock climbing and paragliding are promoted through national and international tourism events, travel marts, local festivals, promotional stalls, publicity material and official digital and social-media platforms.
The department also facilitates promotion of such activities among tourism and adventure tour operators for inclusion in suitable travel itineraries.
It said the adventure potential of Sopore, particularly the Wular-Watlab area, would continue to be promoted as part of the broader Kashmir Division tourism strategy, with specific interventions to be examined where considered feasible and appropriate.
Fisher community to be included
The department said it is also working with the District Administration to expand community-based and sustainable eco-tourism around Watlab and the Wular Lake periphery.
Local communities, including the fisher community, are being encouraged to participate in regulated tourism activities such as boat and Shikara rides, tourist guiding, homestays, handicrafts and catering services.
The department is also encouraging capacity-building for local youth to work as eco-guides, bird-watching guides and nature interpreters.
Regulated tourism activities are being promoted at identified locations, including Watlab Ghat, with emphasis on involving local communities in visitor services and facilitating the sale of locally produced handicrafts, food items and other traditional products around the proposed Eco-Park.
The Government said the initiatives are intended to generate local employment, expand livelihood opportunities and gradually diversify the livelihoods of communities dependent on wetlands towards sustainable, non-extractive tourism activities.
The reply was signed on September 25, 2026 by the Minister In-charge, Tourism Department, and the Under Secretary to the Government, Tourism Department.
