Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Tuesday said after a gap of almost four-decades, the Jammu and Kashmir administration revived the relationship with Bollywood.
“ In 2021, film policy was launched to attract more investment into the film sector and make region as the most popular film shooting destination,” he added.
Addressing the G20’s 3rd Tourism Working Group at SKICC, LG Sinha said in 2022 alone, over 300 movies were filmed in the region and such enthusiasm is bringing about a qualitative change in the lives of people.
Sinha further said that Jammu and Kashmir will soon find a place in the top 50 destinations in the world and will be on the travel bucket list of global travellers.
“Tourism sector in J&K has been accorded the status of Industry and all fiscal incentives as per our Industrial Policy and we are receiving massive investment proposals from the industries in the hospitality sector. It used to be the favourite location for the Bollywood film industry till late 1980s,” he said.
LG Sinha said it is a matter of great pride for 13 million citizens of the Union Territory to host this G20 meeting of the tourism working group that is deliberating on global architecture for sustainable tourism.
“Over 3 decades this land of peaceful co-existence of almost all religious sects had to suffer state sponsored terrorism by our neighbouring country, ” he said.
LG Sinha said PM Modi ‘s development schemes and UT’s effective administration has isolated the terror eco-system which thrived with the support from across the border.
“Jammu Kashmir is witnessing a new era that has opened limitless possibilities of growth and peace. Now even foreign investments are also coming into Jammu and Kashmir, green shoots of better times people are anxiously looking up to,” he said.
LG Sinha said that tourism in Jammu and Kashmir is also a reflection of the multi-religious and multi-cultural ethos of India. J&K stands among the developed regions of India on some measurable milestones, and we are committed to people’s prosperity both economically and socially.
“PM has completely eliminated injustice, exploitation and discrimination which several sections of society faced for seven long decades. We are ensuring social equality and equal economic opportunity to all citizens, which is also enabling them to contribute to nation building,” he said.
LG Sinha said grass root democracy has been strengthened; new industries are coming up, rapid agricultural growth is making our villages prosperous.
“New institutions have been opened up in higher education, youths are being trained for Industry 4.0 technologies, infrastructure development is progressing rapidly and our emphasis on technology is transforming UT into a digital society,” he said.
Lt. Governor said that during the past 4 years, the ranking of Jammu and Kashmir on the various parameters of sustainable development goals have gone up, thanks to the visionary leadership of PM Modi.
Under India’s G20 Presidency, the G20 tourism working group is focusing on five inter- connected priority areas. Green tourism, digitalization, skills, tourism MSMEs and destination management will provide a roadmap for tourism as a tool for achieving sustainable development goals, he said.
LG Sinha said that Jammu and Kashmir is already working on a few of the priority areas identified by the G20 Tourism Working Group like on Green Tourism, Skills, Tourism MSMEs and Digitalization.
‘In 2022, a record number of 18 million tourists visited J&K, the last year the tourism sector made a 7% contribution to GDP. We have identified 300 new destinations to promote green tourism,” he said.
LG Sinha said that this Himalayan region is blessed to have 55% green and forest cover and last year alone we planted 16 million trees to give a renewed push to green tourism and to provide new getaways and stunning eco-destinations for the domestic and international travellers.
“For travellers, who want to explore the charming and adorable villages, we have come up with home stay facilities. It is being promoted and marketed by harnessing the power of digital tools,” he said.
LG Sinha expressed his gratitude to PM Modi for his consistent effort to develop J&K as one of the most sought after tourist attractions in the world.
“Places like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonmarg, Bangus Valley, Srinagar, Jammu, Kishtwar, Sanasar, Gurez, Patnitop are now on global tourism map and offering stunning scenery, skiing, snowboarding, trekking, beautiful and iconic mountain ranges, spiritual experiences and rich cultural canvas,” he said.
LG said that the administration is developing the country’s first book village on the banks of Wular lake and many hiking trails for tourists who love the tranquility of nature.
After 4-decades, JK revives relationship with Bollywood
