Karnah has huge tourism potential, efforts on to put it in global tourism map: Govt

Jammu : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said that it is working to promote Karnah Constituency of Kupwara district in North Kashmir, saying that the region, along with its picturesque villages like Teetwal, Karanoo in Nawagabra, and Budnambal, has the potential to emerge as a prominent tourist destination.

The government, as per the news agency said that several steps have been initiated to bring these villages on the tourism map, including the construction of Yatri Niwas at Sharda Temple in Teetwal to promote pilgrim tourism.

Replying to the query raised by MLA Javid Ahmad Mircha, the Tourism Department acknowledged that Karnah Constituency possesses huge tourism potential due to its breathtaking landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and strategic location near the Line of Control (LoC).

Villages of Teetwal, Karanoo in Nawagabra, and Budnambal are blessed with natural beauty, lush meadows, and cultural significance, making them ideal locations for nature tourism, adventure tourism, and cross-border heritage tourism, the government said.

They revealed that one of the significant projects being undertaken is the construction of Yatri Niwas at Sharda Temple in Teetwal, along with the establishment of a cafeteria to cater to visitors and pilgrims.

“In order to promote pilgrim tourism, the J&K Tourism Department has already projected the work for construction of Yatri Niwas at Sharda Temple at Teetwal, Kupwara, along with a cafeteria,” the reply added.

The government said that the construction of Yatri Niwas is expected to boost pilgrim tourism in the region as Sharda Temple in Teetwal holds significant cultural and religious importance while emphasizing that promoting cross-border heritage tourism in Teetwal, being close to the Line of Control (LoC), could attract a large number of visitors in the future—(KNO)