Verinag to be developed as heritage town

M Aamir Khan 

Tribune News Service 

Srinagar, August 5

As part of its efforts to boost heritage and pilgrim tourism in the Kashmir valley, the Tourism Department has decided to develop Verinag in south Kashmir as a heritage town.

Verinag, which is around 80 km from here, is famous for its spring, which is the main source of the Jhelum. The spring is surrounded by a covered passage, which was built during the Mughal period.

“Verinag will be adopted and developed as a heritage town. The place will get a heritage town status with international standard facilities. This town has a live link with the history and heritage of Kashmir. It will be ensured that tourists are tempted to visit the place,” Farooq Shah, J&K Tourism Development Corporation Managing Director and Director, Tourism, said during a visit to Dooru Shahbaad in Anantnag district today.

Giving details of the plan, Shah said the government would explore all potentials of pilgrim tourism and eco-adventure activities in the area.

“Trekking activities will be started soon from Zchohaan to the Sarbal Lake which has immense adventure tourism potential. Shah Anayatullah Wali shrine and Mehboob-ul-Aalam Sultan-ul-Arfeen shrine at Chohhan will be promoted as pilgrim tourism spots,” he said.

Shah said a tourist reception centre having 10 rooms with a “heritage touch” would be constructed adjacent to the Verinag spring.

Local MLA Farooq Andrabi said Verinag was the “gateway of Kashmir” and the area would be promoted as an exclusive pilgrim, heritage and adventure circuit at national and international levels. 

He also said the state government would organise “qawali” festivals at the shrines.

Pertinently, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had recently called for integrating heritage sites into tourism circuit and the government in May had started a cruise service on the Jhelum that takes tourists to heritage destinations like Lal Ded Memorial, Khanqah-e-Moula, Maharaj Gung and the shrine of Hazrat Bul Bul Shah.

The government is also planning restoration of the old assembly complex and development of artisan cluster at Safa Kadal in the old city.