Jammu, Mar 17 – Recognizing the immense tourism potential of Padder Valley in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday highlighted the various steps taken by the government to enhance adventure and religious tourism in the region. The picturesque valley, located in the southeastern part of Kishtwar district, is renowned for its Sapphire mines and the revered Chandi Mata temple at Machail, attracting thousands of tourists and pilgrims annually.
In response to a starred question by BJP legislator Sunil Sharma in the Assembly, Abdullah, who also holds the tourism portfolio, outlined the government’s vision to develop Padder into a prime tourism destination with a special focus on eco-tourism infrastructure. Sharma, representing the Padder-Nagseni Assembly constituency, had sought details on tourism development initiatives, particularly those related to the surroundings of the Machail shrine.
Abdullah stated that Padder has significant potential for adventure tourism, including trekking, mountaineering, and river rafting, in addition to being a major pilgrimage site. He noted that the annual Machail Mata Yatra has been successfully organized, with an estimated three lakh devotees visiting the shrine last year.
To harness the valley’s adventure tourism opportunities, the government has trained over 30 local youths in essential adventure sports such as basic mountaineering, river rafting, and paragliding, thereby fostering community participation in the tourism sector. Additionally, the tourism department has officially notified a designated rafting route from the Shiv Mandir to Kundal, with one adventure tour operator already granted permission to conduct commercial rafting activities along this stretch.
In an effort to promote trekking tourism, three major trekking routes of six, seven, and ten-day durations have been identified within the region. Several promotional events have been organized to popularize these routes, aiming to attract adventure enthusiasts and trekkers from across the country.
Further boosting religious and eco-tourism, the government has incorporated Padder Valley into its annual tourism promotion calendar. Promotional events are planned at eight religious sites and trekking trails, reinforcing the commitment to developing the region as a key tourism hub.
The Chief Minister also announced that the government is working to expand the number of registered homestays in the valley, ensuring high-quality accommodation options for visitors while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for locals. The focus is on promoting tourism in rural and offbeat areas through a community-driven approach that balances economic growth with environmental sustainability.
To incentivize tourism-related businesses, the government has introduced several initiatives aimed at fostering an investor-friendly environment. The tourism sector has been accorded industry status under the Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Policy-2021, enabling tourism stakeholders to avail themselves of various benefits and incentives. Since the implementation of this policy, the Industry and Commerce Department has provided multiple incentives to encourage private sector investment in tourism infrastructure and services.
Regarding eco-tourism development in Kishtwar, Abdullah detailed several ongoing projects for the current financial year. These include the establishment of tented accommodation facilities at Gulabgarh, the tendering process for the construction of public conveniences, and the installation of signage and kiosks along the Gulabgarh-Machail route. Additionally, new public conveniences and wayfinding signage are being installed at strategic locations, including Massu, Kundli, Chichoti, and Hamori, to enhance visitor experience and facilitate smoother travel for pilgrims and adventure seekers alike.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed the government’s dedication to making Padder Valley a leading tourism destination in Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring that all necessary measures are taken to improve accessibility, infrastructure, and visitor amenities while preserving the region’s natural and cultural heritage.