Ladakh Lt Governor R K Mathur stressed the importance of changing the existing tourism model on July 1, stating that tourism activities should be geographically distributed for the benefit of rural people. Mathur was speaking at the launch of the new homestay policy’s incentive items for Leh district beneficiaries.
Homestays will help to decentralise tourism activities, bring Ladakh closer to its goal of carbon neutrality, and improve the standard of cleanliness, according to Mathur. He suggested that the tourism department train homestay owners in order to promote responsible tourism in the Union Territory.
Need to train homestay owners
Mathur said good infrastructure, including clean rooms, heating facilities and hot running water along with clean and hygienic toilets are essential for homestays. He stressed on the need to train homestay owners on running their facilities along with equipping them with relevant information for tourists about the place, its history, culture, geology and flora and fauna.
The Lt Governor shared the efforts being made by the administration for the documentation of the history of all villages in Ladakh. The Hill Councils, elected representatives and stakeholders in the tourism sector have huge roles to play in promoting homestays to make it (policy) a commercially successful venture, he said.
Importance of improving telecommunications and medical facilities
He emphasised the importance of improving telecommunications and medical facilities for the benefit of tourists staying in homestays. Mathur described the administration’s distribution of homestay kits to beneficiaries as a “major initiative,” emphasising the importance of making this experiment a success.
Earlier, Mathur chaired a meeting to review the progress of the tourism, culture, labour, food, civil services and consumer affairs and law and justice departments here. He suggested that the tourism department may engage an agency such as Sulabh International or assign the duty to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) for waste management and operation and maintenance of wayside amenities.
He suggested that the existing public convenience structures at Khardung La and Chang La be demolished and replaced with a new structure with glass walls, solar power, and heating, as well as an Oxygen caf, at these mountain passes. He also emphasised the importance of complete coverage for the renovation of existing homestays and the construction of toilets in both existing and new homestays.
Ensure cleanliness
He advised the tourism department to conduct a census to prepare a list of homestays, guest houses and hotels in Ladakh. Mathur stressed on the need for monitoring of the Sindhu Ghat area to ensure cleanliness and prohibit the throwing of non-organic matter into the river.
Terming cleanliness and traffic control as critical for the tourism sector, he suggested that Assistant Tourist Officers (ATOs) may be placed at different tourist places in Nubra, Pangong and Khardung La to enable them to work in coordination with police to address traffic issues and check irresponsible driving and other activities. Mathur advised that the tourism department in collaboration with the Indo-
Tibetan Border Police, Army and police may conduct an expedition at least once a year to promote trekking routes and mountain climbing in Ladakh.
Stressed on the preparation of Detailed Project Reports
Mathur also stressed on the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for various tourism activities along with the publicity of festivals being celebrated in Ladakh.
