Srinagar, Feb 12: The government on Thursday said that Uri constituency in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district holds significant potential for tourism, particularly in border tourism, eco-tourism, trekking and pilgrimage sectors. It, however, clarified that there is no proposal under consideration to establish a separate Tourism Development Authority for the area.
Replying to questions in the Assembly raised by MLA Uri Dr Sajjad Shafi, the In-charge Minister for Tourism, whose portfolio is held by the Chief Minister, said that Uri has “appreciable tourism potential”, especially for border-area tourism experiences, trekking routes, scenic and nature-based visitation, waterfalls and pilgrimage or heritage-linked tourism, subject to accessibility and visitor facilitation arrangements.
The minister said the department is already aware of the tourism potential in Uri, particularly in the Boniyar-Uri belt, and does not require a separate survey at this stage to identify and document its prospects.
On the proposal for setting up a dedicated Tourism Development Authority for Uri to ensure planned promotion, infrastructure development and sustainable tourism, the government said no such proposal is currently under consideration in the department.
However, the minister affirmed that the department intends to promote border tourism and eco-tourism in Uri in a manner that ensures environmental conservation and sustainable livelihood generation for local youth.
He said emphasis is being laid on low-impact, community-based tourism interventions, particularly homestays, which are environmentally sustainable and directly benefit local residents. Registration of homestays under the notified guidelines is being facilitated across north Kashmir, including remote and border areas, to augment accommodation capacity and generate self-employment opportunities.
“In this regard, five homestays have been registered in the Boniyar-Uri area, reflecting initial progress towards inclusive and sustainable tourism development in the border region,” the reply stated.
The minister added that further promotion of border and eco-tourism in Uri will be undertaken in a phased manner, subject to policy approvals, environmental safeguards, security considerations and availability of resources.
Regarding development and protection of Markhor habitats, trekking corridors, eco-parks, pilgrimage circuits and tourist infrastructure, the government said wildlife habitat protection and eco-sensitive zones primarily fall within the mandate of other line departments. Any tourism-related intervention in such areas would be taken up in coordination with the concerned departments to ensure ecological preservation and regulatory compliance.
The House was informed that the Tourism Department has undertaken and supported several approved works in Uri constituency, including the construction of a Tourist Cafeteria at Boniyar, which is currently being operated on an outsourced basis.
A Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) at Salamabad, Uri, has also been established but is presently non-functional due to suspension of LoC trade and prevailing access restrictions in the area.
Additionally, renovation and repair works of the Imambara at Sharda Sharif, Uri, are being executed by the department to support pilgrimage tourism and preserve cultural heritage.
The government said any future proposals for trekking routes, eco-parks, pilgrimage circuits or visitor amenities in Uri would be taken up in a phased and need-based manner, subject to resource availability, environmental and security clearances, and alignment with sustainable tourism principles.
