No study conducted to assess impact of surge in tourism on J&K economy: Centre

Union Tourism Ministry on Monday said no study has been conducted to assess the economic impact of the surge in tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. The written response in the Lok Sabha came on Monday after Congress MP Balwant Baswant Wankhade asked whether the government has assessed the economic impact of the surge in tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.

In response, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said no such study has been instituted by the Ministry of Tourism.

The Congress MP had also asked details of specific steps taken by the government to sustain and further enhance this growth trajectory in tourism for both the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu division and whether there were any plans to introduce further infrastructure improvement and sustainable tourism initiatives including eco-friendly projects to accommodate the rising tourist numbers.

According to the Union Government, the Ministry of Tourism under the schemes of Swadesh Darshan, National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD), and Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development provides financial assistance to state governments/Union Territory administrations/central agencies for the development of tourism-related infrastructure and facilities at various tourism destinations in the country, including Jammu and Kashmir.

It said the Ministry of Tourism revamped its Swadesh Darshan scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations following a tourist and destination centric approach.

The Ministry of Tourism has identified Basholi as one of the destination in Jammu and Kashmir under SD2.0, it said. The ministry also provided list of projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan Scheme and under PRASHAD scheme in Jammu and Kashmir.