India

Jammu Kashmir to promote Seri-tourism

Jammu and Kashmir’s Sericulture and Tourism departments are planning to introduce ‘Seri-Tourism’ as a joint venture to promote both the sectors for enhancing the livelihood opportunities, a senior government official has said.

Under the first phase, model mulberry gardens of highly improved Japanese mulberry plants would be established at the Jammu Tawi Golf Course (JTGC), Sidhra and the Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC) in Srinagar during this season, said Secretary, Tourism, Rigzin Samphael at a meeting here on Saturday.

The meeting was attended by Director Sericulture Gulzar Ahmad Shabnum, Secretary of the JTGC, Sidhra Hitesh Gupta and other senior officers of tourism and sericulture development departments. Ornamental mulberry plants would also be planted alongside the approaches of these golf courses and other locations in a systematic and technical way, Samphael said.

He lauded the Sericulture Department for extending its support in conceptualization and execution of these symbiotic projects bound to promote the activities of both sectors with the objective of benefiting the locals.

Samphael suggested the senior functionaries of both the departments to explore more destinations for development under ‘Seri-Tourism’ in the state in coming years. The projects have been conceived efficiently and are very much cost effective, he said, adding that the future plans under the ‘Seri- Tourism’ initiative must be framed with more ground work and after proper survey with the objective of promoting both the sectors and ensuring a sustainable eco-friendly environment.

He also suggested for seeking expert opinions in the formulation and execution of plans under ‘Seri-Tourism’ at the potential tourism destinations of the state.