Tourist destinations in J

Bhadarwah, Jammu, Aug 20 (UNI) Jammu and Kasmir has a great tourism potential but many tourist destinations in the state have not been paid due attention, especially in infrastructure development, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has said.

After inaugurating a week-long Kailash Tourism Festival here yesterday, Mr Azad made specific references of Bhadarwah, Kathua and some areas in Udhampur of Jammu division and Kupwara, Baramulla of Kashmir division, and said these places had not received the due attention for the promotion of tourism.

He said many potential tourists destinations in Bhadarwah, which are bestowed with scenic beauty, totally lack even the basic infrastructure. ''Despite being made Tehsils or Niabats, places like Marwah, Warwan and Dacchin have not been fully connected with roads, he added.

The Chief Minister enlisted several measures undertaken by his government for development in the state.

Besides Rs 20 crore funding from the Centre for newly constituted Bhadarwah Development Authority, another 19 development authorities have received the similar grants for developing their areas as potential tourist destination, he informed.

Mr Azad said that the progress on road linkages, health, education and tourism are being personally monitored by him.

He also invited the representatives of Indian tourism associations to have a glimpse of Kailash Kund shrine -- situated at 14,000 feet above sea level and other scenic places in the state.

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