‘Exploring possibility of developing ropeway to Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine’
Srinagar: Asserting that in Jammu and Kashmir, security forces have played a crucial role in ending terrorism, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday said the role of society is equally important, and that terrorists’ attempts to draw sustenance from within communities must be foiled.
“The participation of ordinary citizens in rejecting terrorism is a strong message. Street protests against Pakistan-backed terrorists are a good sign toward establishing permanent peace in the valley. The people of Jammu and Kashmir must rise and ensure that terrorists have no place in this beautiful Union Territory,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
LG Manoj Sinha made these remarks while addressing the Tourism Secretaries’ Meet of Union Territories held in Srinagar, which was also graced by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, along with top officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, and UT Administrations.
In his keynote address, the LG highlighted Jammu and Kashmir’s remarkable development journey, particularly its transformation into a preferred global tourist destination. He said the successful hosting of this conference is itself a befitting reply to terrorism, and a clear sign of J&K’s march toward peace, prosperity, and global engagement.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jammu and Kashmir is an unstoppable force. It continues to flourish in every sector,” he said.
Describing the region as a land of unparalleled natural beauty, spirituality, and harmony, LG Sinha said, “God has truly been generous to Jammu and Kashmir. Snow-capped peaks, shimmering lakes, apple-laden orchards, temples, meadows—this place is a living canvas of peace and nature.”
The Lieutenant Governor spoke of the major shift in the tourism sector in recent years. “We have strengthened traditional tourism circuits and expanded the sector’s horizon. The aim is to ensure tourism benefits reach every corner of J&K and transform lives,” he said, adding that the people of J&K and their warm hospitality make the region an especially attractive destination for global travelers.
He described the G20 Tourism Working Group meeting held earlier in Srinagar as a defining moment for the region. “It significantly helped build ‘Brand J&K’ in the global tourism sector,” he noted. This event was followed by several international and national programs, which further showcased Jammu and Kashmir as a hub for luxury tourism, film shoots, entertainment, and global cultural events.
Reiterating the administration’s commitment to sustainable tourism, the LG spoke about the SPREAD strategy – Strategic Promotion and Revamping of Emerging Alternate Destinations in J&K. The initiative aims to mitigate environmental pressure on high-traffic destinations by promoting lesser-known, emerging spots.
“We aim to bring nine emerging destinations onto the national and international tourism map and provide direct employment to at least five lakh people in the first year. These locations will also attract high-value tourists,” LG Sinha said.
He also informed that the UT administration is exploring the possibility of developing a two-phase ropeway to the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine, especially to facilitate access for elderly pilgrims and persons with disabilities (divyangjan).
The event was attended by Ms. V. Vidyavathi, Union Secretary for Tourism; Shri Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director General, Tourism; Shri Gyan Bhushan, Senior Economic Advisor, Tourism; Shri Praveen Kumar Rai, Joint Secretary, MHA; along with Tourism Secretaries of various Union Territories, senior officials, expert panellists, and stakeholders from across India.
