Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Feb 5 : Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC), Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, today met Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Government of India, in New Delhi and submitted key proposals aimed at strengthening winter and adventure tourism in Kargil district.
During the meeting, Dr Akhoon highlighted Kargil’s vast untapped potential as a year-round tourism destination and sought the Ministry’s support for strategic interventions to enhance tourism infrastructure and employment opportunities.
At the outset, Dr Akhoon raised the Linkipal Ski Slope Project, noting that despite earlier progress, the project could not be completed due to procedural constraints.
He underlined its strategic importance in promoting winter tourism, generating local employment, and positioning Kargil as a premier adventure tourism destination in Ladakh.
He requested the Ministry to support the project under an appropriate framework.
Secondly, the CEC raised the issue of operationalisation of the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IISM) branch at Kargil, affiliated with Gulmarg, which was announced earlier but has not yet become functional.
He stressed that making the institute operational at the earliest would facilitate organised winter sports activities, professional training in alpine skiing, and skill development opportunities for local youth in adventure sports.
Further, Dr. Akhoon proposed the organisation of a Familiarisation (FAM) Tour for leading tour operators, travel writers, influencers, and media professionals from across the country.
He noted that such an initiative would help showcase Kargil’s diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, adventure tourism offerings, and warm hospitality, thereby enhancing destination visibility and tourist inflow.
The Union Minister gave a patient hearing to the submissions and responded positively.
Dr. Akhoon expressed hope that the Ministry’s support would help unlock Kargil’s tourism potential, create sustainable livelihood opportunities, and promote balanced regional development.
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