KARGIL, MAY 06, 2021: Secretary, Tourism and Culture UT Ladakh Mehboob Ali Khan took stock of the status of tourism assets and wayside amenities at Darchiks, Garkone and Shakar Chiktan area here today.

The Secretary was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kargil Development Authority (KDA) Ghulam Mohiuddin Wani, Assistant Director Tourism Kargil Aga Syed Taha, SDM Shakar Chiktan Kacho Asgar Ali Khan, Assistant Tourist Officer Ghulam Rasool Lal besides other concerned officers.

The Secretary Tourism and Culture visited Viewpoint Hambotingla, ski slope being planned to develop at Hambotingla, tourist guest houses at Silmo and Darchiks, Himalayan Aryan Museum Garkone ,Yatri Niwas Shakardoo, Tourist Dak Bungalow Chiktan and other tourist amenities in the area and took stock of lighting facilities, water supply, infrastructure, cleanliness, hygiene, and other necessary arrangements for tourists.

The Secretary instructed the concerned officers to ensure proper utility of all guest houses and tourist amenities by taking measures to run them on outsourcing basis.

At locations where the construction works for development of tourism related infrastructure are under progress, the Secretary instructed the officers concerned to ensure the inclusion of local architecture and designs in their construction.

The Secretary said that proper signages will be installed at historically important, tourist interest locations as well as tourist facilities in the area of Aryan Valley and Shakar Chiktan once the logo of Tourism Department is finalized. He said that this will on the one hand help in acquainting visitors and tourists about the historical importance and tourism potential of these areas, and on the other hand will also ease tourists in getting easy access to the boarding and lodging facilities.

At Sanjak, the villagers gave a warm traditional welcome to the Secretary and took him on a visit to the village. The villagers also submitted a memorandum which included among other issues demand for installation of lift irrigation system in the village, mobile tower connectivity and construction of a tourist bungalow.

The Secretary gave a patient hearing to the demands projected by the villagers and assured them of taking suitable follow up measures.

He also instructed the concerned officers to identify an appropriate location for construction of a tourist dak bungalow in the village in consultation with the villagers.

Similarly, at Chiktan public representatives including the BDC Chairperson Shakar Chiktan Sayeda Banoo, Sarpanchs and Panchs and the locals welcomed the Secretary. They also projected demand for the preservation and up-gradation of the historic Chiktan Castle, removal of inner line permit for tourists visiting the area and other related issues.

Responding to the demands projected by the locals, the Secretary assured that suitable measures will be taken to address the issues in a phased manner.