Peace necessary for tourism and handicraft industries: Omar

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said peace was necessary for tourism and handicraft industries which had suffered due to disturbances.
Inaugurating Cultural and Heritage park at Chinar Bagh, adjacent to Dal Lake along with Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah last evening, the Chief minister said peace and condusive atmosphere were necessary for overall development.
The park has been developed by the Tourism department at a cost of about Rs 3 crore.
Its 2nd phase is likely to cost about Rs 4 crores as the park provides various entertainment sections including musical fountain and play area for children.
It will prove a very good lung place in the city and provide recreational facilities to the people.
Speaking on the occasion the Chief Minister highlighted the handicraft skill and natural beauty of the State and said the economy of the Valley is largely dependent on these two sectors.
Both the two require conducive and peaceful atmosphere to nurture, he said and underlined the importance of peace in the process of development.
He said government has created lot of infrastructure in the tourism sector during last two years.
He asked the Tourism department not to replicate same recreational and entertainment facilities but work out creation of tourist facilities on new themes.
The Chief Minister said there is no dearth of themes to create attractive entertainment infrastructure and amusement parks in the city.
He further said creation of infrastructure is easy but its maintainance and proper utilisation is the real challenge to accept.
He asked the department to fully utilize the facilities already provided in the tourism sector in Srinagar city to make the stay of tourists entertaining and attractive.
We should draw a calendar of organizing Melas in various tourist places to attract tourists and generate economic activities for locals, he added.