Page 8 - The Indian EYE 051223

NATION MAY 12, 2023 | The Indian Eye 8

Kashmir Valley hopes to see

a major boost in tourism as G-20

meeting takes place in J&K

People directly or indirectly connected with the tourism sector are also very happy and

optimistic about the G20 summit being held here

OUR BUREAU
Srinagar (J&K)
arious departments are busy
preparing for the G20 summit
Vto be held in Srinagar, while
many others have finalized their
preparations. There is also a pro-
gram for the visit of delegates from
20 countries to the city of Gulmarg
and Dal Lake. A large part of it has
already been cleaned and the clean-
ing work on the other part is going on
in full swing. In order to clean the Dal
Lake from weeds in the water, several
persons have been employed at many
places to make the Dal Lake attractive.
The sanitation work is carried
out in Dal throughout the year. But
for the G20 summit, special attention
is being paid to the cleaning of sever-
al important places in the lake.
The Vice Chairman of Lake Con-
servation and Management Authori-
ty Dr. Bashir Ahmed Butt said that
every possible effort is being made to
make the Dal attractive and even bet- With the tourism season in Kashmir starting earlier this year, the increase in demand for Shikaras is set to boost the tourism sector (ANI)
ter. So that a positive message is sent
at the international level. He said lake. Such measures are intended to A record number of tourists was top attraction. As this trend has only
that not only the tourism sector will make the lake more attractive and seen in Kashmir in 2022. Although grown stronger, the work of artisans
get more boost from the G20 summit also to give a special look on the oc- last year 1 crore 88 thousand domes- like Nisar has increased significantly.
being held in Srinagar and the dele- casion of the G20 meeting. tic and foreign tourists visited Kash- While the surge in demand is
gates visiting Dal Lake. It is possible On the other hand, the people mir, more than 2 crore tourists are great for business, it also poses chal-
that more and more tourists will be directly or indirectly connected with expected to arrive this year. He said lenges for artisans. Nisar Ahmed
attracted towards visiting Kashmir. the tourism sector are also very hap- that in such a situation, even from notes the difficulty in obtaining
Talking about bringing several ar- py and optimistic about the G20 sum- the G20 meeting, the tourism sector suitable pine wood of the required
eas within the Dal Lake on the tour- mit being held here. They say that will reach new heights. length. Despite these challenges, he
ist map and developing these areas this summit will not only promote In recent years, the traditional remains committed to meeting the
as tourist villages, VC Bashir Ahmed Jammu and Kashmir at the interna- Shikaras of Kashmir have become a needs of his customers.
Butt said that the Lake Conserva- tional level but the tourism sector of popular attraction for tourists, and With the tourism season in
tion and Management Authority has Kashmir will get a new dimension. this year, the demand for these iconic Kashmir starting earlier this year,
cleaned the selected areas, apart from Associated people say that due boats has surged. Shikara artisans like the increase in demand for Shikaras
the navigation channels. Restoration to the Coronavirus and the unfavor- Nisar Ahmed are working tirelessly is set to boost the tourism sector and
and other works have been taken up. able conditions of Jammu and Kash- to keep pace with orders, with more increase the income of people direct-
During the conversation, he said mir before that, the tourism sector, than 40 on his plate at his 40-year-old ly or indirectly connected with it. The
that the country’s highest aerator has which is the backbone of the econo- factory on the famous Dal Lake. The charming Daisen Shikaras manufac-
been installed in Dal Lake. It will my of Jammu and Kashmir, was af- rise in demand for Shikaras can be tured in Nisar Ahmed’s factory is a
throw water up to 85 meters i.e., 279 fected to a great extent, but this sec- attributed to the increasing number sight to behold on the Dal Lake, a
feet. Apart from this, air tars have tor has been slowly declining for the of visitors to Kashmir, with Shikara testament to the enduring allure of
been installed at 6 more places in the past few years. Returning to Kashmir. rides on the Dal Lake becoming a Kashmir’s traditional boats.

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