Tarigami lauds Tourism Deptt & NGO, for promoting Rural Tourism
Srinagar, Nov 01 (KNS): In a first, over 100 youth were trained in skills for working in tourism sector in a remote village in Kulgam district which has won the applause of the local legislator, M Y Tarigami.
The Department of Tourism and National Welfare Forum (NWF), an NGO have trained these youth, including men and women, in remote and picturesque Banimulla village in Kulgam as its initiative for promoting Rural Tourism in the Kashmir Valley.
Banimulla has been declared as ‘Tourist Village’ by the department in its outreach to develop and promote tourism in rural areas, and the NGO in collaboration with the department has conducted various programmes in the village for its youth and women to inculcate idea of tourism among them, impart training of various skills to provide them employment in the sector.
NWF conducted training and awareness about software project programme for 50 youth of the village in which the participants were trained in hospitality skills which included photography, tourist guides, reception and lodging.
Besides youths, a batch of 60 girls were imparted training in preparing food items including pickles, jam, and other packaged foods so that the women become independent to earn their livelihood.
Training was also imparted to ponywallas how to behave and handle tourists in the resorts like Pahalgam, Yousmarg etc. which see huge tourist rush during peak seasons.
Also, awareness programme was held about various incentive schemes of the department for the locals.
MLA Kulgam, M Y Tarigami expressed gratitude to the tourism department for declaring Banimulla as Tourist Village and appreciated the NGO for imparting skill training to youths and women of the village.
Tarigami said that the village has huge tourism potential where tourists can enjoy its scenic beauty and get an experience of the rural culture and life.
“It has also opened up livelihood opportunities for the locals and the training imparted to them by the NGO is essential for earning their livelihood,” he said, adding that the trained youth can become the ambassadors of the rural tourism.
Besides, President Adventure Tour Operators Association of Kashmir (ATOAK), Rouf Tramboo said that to promote and develop rural areas as the Tourist Destinations is an innovative step launched by the department.
Deputy Director Tourism, PD&MD K.A. Khatana explained the various incentive schemes of the department for the participation of the people in Tourism Sector, Schemes like Paying Guest, Adventure Tourism and other meant for providing employment to the locals and involving them in the sector.
He said the Banimulla village has a scope for mountaineering, trekking, paragliding and other adventure activities as attraction for tourists.
Presenting his Vote of Thanks to the dignitaries and officials, Director NWF, Gowhar Wani, said that the skill Dev. programmes have helped youth in the valley to avail employment opportunities in the Tourism Sector as well.
At the end of the programme, certificates, incentives and mementoes were distributed among the participants.
Wani said that 50 LED street lights, dust bins were distributed among the residents of the village and schools respectively.
“Banimulla is the first village which has been provided LED street lights as part of the development programme under the rural tourism promotion scheme,” he said. (KNS)
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