Jammu, March 28, KNT: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said Karnah has “immense potential” for border tourism, hiking and trekking, while conceding that the government has not done enough so far to promote tourism in the remote frontier region.
Replying to a supplementary question raised by the Karnah MLA during the Assembly’s Question Hour, Abdullah said the area’s natural landscape offers scope for tourism expansion, but requires a more grounded and realistic approach.
“There is potential in terms of border tourism, hiking and trekking, and there is immense natural beauty in Karnah,” he said, adding that the government is working on a programme to promote tourism in the area.
The statement comes against the backdrop of growing demand from border constituencies seeking inclusion in the Union Territory’s tourism map, long dominated by established destinations.
Holding the Tourism portfolio, Abdullah signalled a shift away from large infrastructure projects, saying the focus should be on homestays rather than hotels.
“We should promote tourism at the grassroots level. This will be more beneficial,” he said, indicating a model that relies on local participation rather than external investment.
At the same time, the Chief Minister acknowledged shortcomings. “We may not have done as much as we could for tourism promotion,” he said, pointing to the challenges of accessibility and remoteness in Karnah.
He also clarified that a proposed cable car project from TD Drangyari to Zarla via Sadhna Pass is not under consideration, pushing back against expectations that such infrastructure could transform tourism prospects.
Abdullah cautioned against what he described as a misplaced belief that installing a gondola automatically drives tourist inflow, citing the example of Gulmarg where footfall remains unmatched despite similar facilities elsewhere.
“If a gondola is installed without proper planning and it does not become viable, it will not benefit people,” he said.
He cited recent initiatives in Karnah, including a tourist cafeteria and public facilities at Drangyari, a winter carnival in 2023 and a yoga festival at Teetwal in 2024, aimed at drawing attention to the region. [KNT]
