From a dreaded field firing range to famous tourist spot, Tosa Maidan is all set to become the sojourn of peace.
Omar Abdullah government has finally bite the bullet and announced to develop 50 year old army's field firing range (FFR) at Tosa Maidan into tourist destination in central Kashmir district of Budgam.
Surrounded by lofty mountains, Tosa Maidan is known as the king of meadows given its vast swathes of lush green pastures in the central Kashmir's Budgam district.
Experts say Tosa Maidan meadow is 50 times bigger than famed Gulmarg bowl. High altitude lakes, exotic flora and fauna and the dense forests make the spot more distinct and attractive for the nature loving tourists.
The government had leased over 3000 acres of land at Tosa Maidan to Indian army in 1964. Since then the army was using it as FFR for practicing artillery fire. However its lease expired in April 2014 and since then the civil society groups have been pressing for its permanent de-notifying.
Figures presented in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council revealed that around 63 people have been killed and 40 others have sustained injuries due to the explosion of unexploded shells in and around Tosa Maidan since 1965.
"The demand of public has been fulfilled and the area could be developed as one of the choicest tourist resort in the state. Focus will be on developing Tosa Maidan for tourism related activities in order to generate employment, trade and business in the area", said Omar Abdullah, chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
The followed army's clearance of range area from dangerous material under Mission Falah.
"The clearance of area from dangerous material in a stipulated time frame is highly appreciable. People of the area wanted Tosa Maidan to be the attraction for tourists like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, etc. Their cherished desire would be fulfilled now", Omar said.
Tourism players have welcomed the move saying it will go long way in attracting more visitors to the Kashmir valley.
"The government machinery should now free Tosa Maidan from all military exercises. Funds should be earmarked for developing the area. Tosa Maidan is one of the unexplored tourist destinations of Kashmir", said GM Dag, president, Kashmir Hotel and Restaurants Owners Federation (KHROF).
The decision to make Tosa Maidan a tourist destination has come at a time when the tourism sector has suffered huge financial losses in the floods.
"We have incurred huge financial losses both in terms of both infrastructure and business. The losses could be more than Rs 30,000 crore," said Dag.
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