Lahindthoora residents demand bringing the area on tourism map
Shopian: Lahindthoora a breathtaking site in Shopian district which could have become a source of employment for thousands of unemployed youth has witnessed neglect as the authorities have not taken any imitative to bring the area on tourism map.
Lahindthoora village which falls around 3 kilometers from main town Shopian is spread on around 500 acres of land. The locale falls between Ganapora, Arshi and many other villages of Shopian district.
Locals say that officials from various department including social forestry, floriculture, RDD and even tourism department visited the spot several times and promised that the area will be developed to attract tourists to this place.
“Two years back the then DDC Shopian along with higher officials visited the spot and promised locals that the area will be brought on tourism map. However, on ground nothing has been done,” Imtiyaz Ahmad, a local resident said.
He said that the area has been encroached by the locals and there is no one to take care of the beautiful landscape that has the potential to prove a breath taking tourism spot.
He said last year floriculture department started to develop a park in this area but they left the park mid way.
Later the social forestry department also displayed some interest towards developing the park however, on ground it too proved a mirage.
Locals said that they have been informing the higher ups to initiate a plantation drive in the region so that the green cover can be increased.
“But as of now nobody seems to listen to the peoples demand,” Raqib, another youth hailing from the area said.
Bilal Ahmad, another local said that area has historical importance as famous saint Sheikh Noor udin Noorani (RA) has visited the spot and stayed here for some time.
He said that there is shrine of famous saint Syed Jaffar Simnani (RA) besides that there is cave of another Sufi saint in the area which too can prove to attract devotees and tousrists alike.
“Even the local place attracted the crew involved in the production of famous Bollywood movie ‘Kashmir Ki Kalli’. Many shots in the movie were shot here in 1964,” he said.
Locals said rural development department has constructed a playground in the area recently where hundreds of youth play and thousands watch matches besides breathing fresh air at the spot.
Locals say that they want to convey to Lt Guv Manoj Sinha to get the details about the area and bring the spot on the tourism map so that it can generate employment for local youth besides generating revenue for the government as well.
Jahangeer Ganaie
