MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Iftikhar Gilani on Wednesday announced the government’s support for an eco-tourism project in Semari Valley, Muzaffarabad, to promote tourism while protecting the natural environment.
The prime minister visited the project in Semari, where focal person Asif Raza Mir briefed him on the potential of the eco-tourism project, future prospects, and problems faced by locals.
During the briefing, the prime minister was informed that the project had been designed to promote tourism while preserving local natural resources.
He was briefed that work is underway to provide five-star tourism facilities while ensuring the protection of forests and wildlife.
The project also aims to create employment opportunities for local residents by utilising the area’s tourism potential, he was told. The briefing further stated that the infrastructure would be transferred to the local community after 12 years.
The briefing highlighted that Semari can be made an example for sustainable tourism by giving primary importance to the involvement of the local population and protection of the natural environment.
Congratulating the organisers of the Simari project, Gilani said the government would support such initiatives and described it as a model worth emulating.
Prime Minister said infrastructure would be improved to promote tourism, including the construction of the Semari road and tourist tracks, provision of interest-free loans, and training of local youth in the hotel sector.
The prime minister also stressed that tourism activities should reflect local culture and traditions.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) AJK Liaquat Ali Malik, Principal Secretary Adnan Khurshid, DC Muzaffarabad Asim Khalid Awan, Dr Naeem, Arif Urfi, Naveed Anjum and other officials accompanied the prime minister during the visit.
