JAMMU: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering youth in border areas such as Karnah, Keran, Machhil and Gurez by equipping them with vocational skills to promote tourism-driven economic growth. He stated that unskilled youth from these regions would be provided training to acquire skills relevant to the tourism sector.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly while replying to a supplementary question from MLA Karnah, Javid Ahmad Mirchal, Omar Abdullah highlighted the untapped tourism potential of Karnah and stressed the need for further exploration. He pointed out that recent events such as the Border Festival and Yoga Festival had drawn attention to the region’s cultural and natural attractions, leading to a gradual rise in tourist visits.
He further informed the House that the Tourism Department has initiated the registration of paying guest houses and homestays in the area. “For now, in Karnah, we have registered six homestays, and five in Teetwal. Now, I request the MLA to help us in this. There is no point in bringing tourists if there is no place to host them,” he said, adding that the government aims to prioritise homestays over large hotels to ensure local residents benefit from tourism.
Responding to a question from Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi, the Chief Minister said that the government would identify unskilled youth in border areas and provide them training at Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and the Institute of Hotel Management in Srinagar to equip them with skills suited for tourism-related jobs. He reiterated that the government’s broader focus is on skill development and entrepreneurship to create sustainable employment opportunities for youth.
During the discussion, member Saifullah Mir proposed the establishment of a Tourism Development Authority to boost local tourism in these border areas.
Omar Abdullah underscored the tourism potential of several villages in Karnah, including Teetwal, Karanoo in Nawagabra, and Budnambal, which offer breathtaking landscapes, lush meadows and cultural significance. He stated that the Tourism Department has taken various initiatives to promote these destinations for nature tourism, adventure tourism and cross-border heritage tourism.
To promote pilgrim tourism, the government has also projected the construction of a ‘Yatri Niwas’ at Sharda Temple in Teetwal, Kupwara, along with a cafeteria. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Rs 150 lakh project is currently under preparation.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the success of the Border Tourism Festival, organised by the Tourism Department in September 2022 at Teetwal, which featured cultural and musical events, an ATV rally from Kupwara to Teetwal, nature photography sessions, trekking, camping, and horse riding. Additionally, a Yoga Festival was organised in the Teetwal area on June 21, 2024, in collaboration with other departments to further promote tourism.
