J and K government to make Tiger Hill a tourist destination

Abhishek Shukla

Drass, Jul 5 (PTI) Visiting the foothills of famous
Tiger Hill, recaptured by the brave soldiers exactly ten years
ago during the Kargil conflict, would no longer be a dream for
tourists as the government of India's northernmost state of
Jammu and Kashmir plans to promote it as a tourist spot.

The State Tourism Department is planning to develop
Tiger Hill, recapturing of which from the Pakistani Army
tilted the war in India's favour in 1999, and Tololing as
tourist destinations.

"The planning to bring both Tiger Hill and Tololing on
the tourism map is being conceptualised. We plan to build a
good infrastructure support to attract domestic tourists.
Drass was a main theatre of the Kargil conflict and hence is a
potential tourist attraction," state Tourism Minister Nawang
Rigzin Jora told PTI.

He said the government plans to build hotels and
provide other amenities along the national highway connecting
Srinagar and Leh, which provides a glimpse of the Tiger Hill.

Local hotel owners and shopkeepers welcome the
proposed move of the government and say tourism will pick up
once Tiger Hill and Tololing are opened for tourists.

"Tourists keep coming here but are disappointed to
know that they cannot go to the Tiger Hill as it and nearby
areas are under the control of the Army. Infrastructure is
also very primitive here but if the Army permits, then these
areas can become great tourists destinations," Ishfaq Ahmed,
owner of Snowlands hotel said here.

Ahmed, whose hotel gives a clear view of the Tiger
hill said "Since 1999, more tourists are coming here but they
use the place more as transit point on the way to Leh or while
coming back. Every tourist who come here shows his eagerness
to visit the hill."

With the conflict making the otherwise little known
Drass sector famous, many people from northern state of Uttar
Pardesh and neighbouring Nepal have migrated here to set up
shops.

The shops have now started storing sleeping bags,
thermos flasks and shoes among other goods keeping tourists in
mind.

"After the Kargil conflict, the area has witnessed lot
of tourists. Earlier, there were only few shops but now so
many shops are there. If the government allow people to
actually go and visit the area, it would be a great boon for
the people here," Munir Alam Sahab said.

For Rajesh Patel, a resident of Ahmadabad who had come
with his entire family to visit the state, it is disheartening
to know that he can't visits the Tiger Hill.

"Everyday we see and read stories about the Kargil
conflict and how recapturing of Tiger Hill tilted the war in
our favour. I wanted to visit the place myself and show it to
my children but I am told we are not allowed there," Patel
said.

The Army has already built a small museum in the
sector showcasing the bravery of about 200 soldiers who
recaptured the Tiger Hill from the Pakistani Army. PTI ABS
PMR
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