Srinagar, Sep 22: National Conference MLA from the Baramulla constituency, Javid Hassan Baigh, on Tuesday said tourism was not solely dependent on the scenic beauty of the destination but was deeply tied to the prevailing situation of the place as well.
Talking to Greater Kashmir outside the Assembly complex, MLA Baramulla cited the example of Gulmarg, which witnessed no visitors during the period of conflict.
“Tourism is not only related to beauty, it is also related to the situation. Gulmarg is a beautiful place, but during tense situation no one visited the place. You should not link tourism to beauty,” MLA Baigh told Greater Kashmir.
He said tourism is a culture that needs to be developed through a gradual process.
“I will share details of several projects for Baramulla once they materialise. When many such projects will come for Baramulla, I will share them with you. You will get an idea of where our government is and how many projects have come to Baramulla,” he said.
Talking about the developmental challenges in his constituency, MLA Baramulla said Baramulla’s problems are inherited, with land scarcity being the foremost hurdle.
“The problem in Baramulla is that we have inherited from the past. For example, we do not have acute scarcity of land,” he said.
He said the expansion and decongestion of Sopore, a project worth Rs 500 to 1,000 crore, was under discussion.
“CM Omar Abdullah (sahab) called me and asked to identify 200 acres of land so that we can decongest Baramulla. I met the Commissioner Secretary of Urban Development. But the issue is that land is not available,” he added.
“I do not have land for a hockey ground in Baramulla. Do you have any land in Baramulla? The whole land in Baramulla is either with defence or the government offices. So, how can we decongest Baramulla? you tell me,” he said.
He also pushed back against the perception that Baramulla alone had been left behind, saying, it wrong to say that only Baramulla is backward.
“Not only Baramulla, but everyone in Kashmir has seen an unexpected situation over the last 35 years,” he said.
He, however, said that people of Baramulla will soon receive the good news with regard to the developmental projects.
