J&K to train 400 youth in adventure tourism outside the state

Tahir Mushtaq 

JAMMU, Mar 30: Facing shortage of trained manpower to run the adventure sports facilities in Jammu and Kashmir, tourism department will send nearly 400 youth outside the state for training. These youth will be send in batches in different parts of the country.

Officials said that government has asked the all the 12-tourism development authorities created in different districts of the state to identify youth so that they could be imparted special expertise in their chosen field in different parts of the country, where adventure sports are a major tourist attraction.

The fields include water rafting, rock climbing, mountaineering and trekking which have become the focal point of the state government plan to attract visitors particularly foreigners. Sources said although the government has introduced various adventure sports in the state, lack of manpower is creating hindrance in fully utilizing the infrastructure.

“Well trained manpower is a necessity at the moment and selected youth will be given proper training in different fields so that they can serve “, said Tourism Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora. He said expansion of the tourism sector has become a priority for creating jobs for the unemployed youth in the state.

The tourism development centers were established by the Ghulam Nabi Azad government to create physical infrastructure in the new authorities to boost local employment and economy. These authorities include Patnitop, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, Lakhanpur, Sarthal, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Kokernag, Sonamarg, Leh and Kargil. “Under the plan short term visits will be organized so that the youth could get exposure outside the state how other states are managing these facilities”, said a official.

The state is keenly eying the tourist sector to boost revenue and generate employment. In 2006, there were 76,15,217 domestic tourists visits, which increased to 79,15,21 in 2007. In 2008, the number of domestic tourists visiting the state was 76,38,977 due to the Amarnath land agitation which later increased to about 80,00,000 in 2009. As far as foreign tourists arrival is concerned. In 2006, the number of the tourists was 46,087 which increased to 52,754 in 2007 foreign tourists arrivals. In 2009 it reached the highest of 54,565.

There are many visitors who are eager to spend money on adventure sports ad we want to concentrate on them”, said Jora.

During the 10th plan period, the Ministry of Tourism sanctioned projects worth Rs 128.23 crore to Jammu and Kashmir. These included infrastructure development projects as well as grants for fairs and festivals. In the 11th plan, so far the ministry has sanctioned tourism infrastructure amounting to Rs 130 crore.