Master Plan to develop Gulmarg as ace tourist destination approved
Battling encroachment, haphazard construction, and deforestation, the picturesque town of Gulmarg will be developed into an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable tourist destination, the Gulmarg Master Plan-2032, approved by the Jammu and Kashmir government, has envisaged. The State Administrative Council (SAC), which met in Jammu yesterday evening under the chairmanship of Governor Satya Pal Malik, approved the Master Plan, an official spokesman said today.
Plan: Maximize Gulmarg's contribution to state economy
The plan proposes to maximize the contribution of Gulmarg and its surroundings to the state's economy, while preserving its rich natural and cultural heritage, the official said. At the same time, it proposes to provide the best hospitality, excellent value for money and memorable experiences to every visitor and develop Gulmarg as one of the preferred all-weather international tourist destinations.
Tangmarg in Gulmarg's vicinity to be developed as Satellite-Tourist-Township
According to the official, the main features of the plan include the development of Tangmarg area in the vicinity of Gulmarg as Satellite-Tourist-Township with flexible set of Development Control Regulations (DCRs) to attract developers for high-end tourism infrastructure. "This concept is aimed at reducing further the foot print of development in Gulmarg which has very limited carrying capacity," the official said.
Areas under Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary proposed for eco-tourism, adventure tourism
Significant part of Gulmarg Development Authority especially Gulmarg, Khillanmarg, Botapathri and areas included in the territorial jurisdiction of Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary and Biosphere reserve have been proposed for leisure-tourism, eco-tourism, and adventure tourism. Bed capacity of Gulmarg has been further supplemented by extra accommodation in the form of tourist resort in the south-west of Bowl and camping sites on the western-end of Leopard Valley.
Plans include development of heritage areas for pilgrim tourism
The Master Plan also envisages the development of tourist-resorts in Tangmarg, Botapathri, Khillanmarg as model eco-tourism sites in collaboration with the local communities, wildlife, and forest department. The banning of any kind of compound walling in the area, development of Maahayeen, Qazipur, and Ferozpur as model villages and Baba Reshie area as heritage area with facilities for pilgrim-tourism is also expected.
To arrest horse dung issue, pony management also being mulled
The plan further proposes biodiversity parks of Kashmir Himalayan Flora in Gulmarg; separate entry and exit points to avoid traffic congestion and pony management to arrest horse dung posing a serious problem in the resort as most of it is littered creating an unpleasant landscape.
Master Plan preparations initiated after a PIL in High Court
The preparations of Master Plan-2032 were initiated pursuant to the orders of the High Court in PIL titled Mohammad Rafiq Zargar versus State and Others. The preparation was preceded by the environmental impact assessment and GIS mapping of the Gulmarg part of the local area. The Draft Master Plan-2032 has been extensively examined by the tourism department for the last five years.
Plan drafted after considering public objections and suggestions
The plan was also put in public-domain for inviting objections and suggestions and the tourism department had constituted a committee to examine the inputs. Proposals that were found to be useful were factored in the final Draft Master Plan. The Master Plan doesn't intend to regularize any violation or construction made in contravention to the permission granted earlier or any construction without valid permission.
