Jahangeer Ganaie
Pulwama, Jul 29: Shikargah , a potential tourist destination in Tral town of Pulwama district, is seeking the government’s attention for developmental work.
Situated at an altitude of 2,130 m and about 40 kms from Srinagar, Shikargah, a very famous Hangul conservation breeding centre, has been neglected by the tourism department over the years.
Locals said that the place is situated at the intersection of Wasturwen and Kherwon mountains which is just 3 kms from Tral town which according to them resembles Gulmarg.
“The place has an advantage that night temperatures do not drop too low as it is situated at much lower altitude than Gulmarg but no attention is being provided towards the area,” locals said.
Locals said the resort which has been once favourite hunting place for Maharaja Hari singh was opened for the public in 2011 to boost local economy and since tourist flow has increased but it hasn’t been developed yet as it should have been.
Locals said that there is an army camp at the entrance, besides that there are no huts, guest house or any other facilities available at the spot due to which people visiting there are facing a lot of problems.
“Washrooms have been constructed in the area but are being kept locked most of them besides the place lack proper transport facility, parking space and nearby market to make it an attractive tourist destination,” said Junaid Ahmad, a local resident.
“In May 2017, the government had announced that Shikargah will be developed as a picnic spot in Tral to boost tourism in the area besides connecting Tral with Pahalgam through a trekking route; however no concrete step on ground was taken so far,” he said.
He said that there are no dustbins due to polythene and other things can be seen littered in the area which irks the tourists.
An official of the tourism department said that they have already constructed a tourism facilitation and reception centre in the area, however tourism flow is very low in the area.
“Despite low tourist flow we are developing it and working to bring it fully on the tourism map,” he said. (KNO)
