Lahindthoora residents demand basic facilities in the area
Shopian: Residents of Lahindthoora, a breathtaking site in Shopian district which could have been turned into a tourist location and become a source of employment for thousands of unemployed youth have demanded basic facilities in the area.
Lahindthoora village which falls around 3 kilometers from main town Shopian is spread on around 500 acres of land. The area 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.
They said that even some departments have taken up development works in the area as well but still much more needed to be done.
Several developmental works like construction of around 200 step stair, widening of ground have been taken up but construction of park, viewpoints and other things is yet to be initiated.
The social forestry department also displayed some interest towards developing the park but on ground many other things needed to be done, they said .
Bilal Ahmad, a local resident 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 tourists 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 and developed a playground in the area where hundreds of youth play and thousands watch matches.
The locals have sought attention of tourism department and deputy commissioner Shopian in this regard so that basic facilities are provided to the residents.
Jahangeer Ganaie
