Jammu, Mar 6: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday announced that the Bungus Valley in Kupwara district is being developed as an offbeat tourism destination with development works totaling Rs 72 lakh proposed for the area.
Responding to a query from Jammu and Kashmir Assembly member Sheikh Khursheed during Question Hour, Abdullah said the approved allocation for the plan for 2024-25 is Rs 30 lakh.
“To promote Bungus as an offbeat destination, the tourism department has proposed development works amounting to Rs 72 lakh under the capex budget 2024-25,” the chief minister said.
“However, all land in the Bungus Valley falls under the Forest Department’s jurisdiction and we have engaged with the deputy commissioner of Kupwara to identify suitable land parcels for these proposed works,” he said.
Once the Forest Department identifies the parcels, permissions and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) will be sought through the Parivesh portal for forest clearance, he added.
“In order to preserve the ecological balance, the focus remains on avoiding construction of large buildings and hotels. Our goal is to develop the area as an eco-tourism destination,” Abdullah said.
He also outlined plans to provide basic recreational facilities, rain shelters, public conveniences, signage, lighting and waste disposal facilities for visitors.
