J&K plans to promote heritage through business

Taking a leaf out of Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir government is seeking to revive the grandeur of the state's age-old heritage by turning palaces and havelis into hotels, cafes, museums and other cultural assets.
Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today ordered to set up a high-level committee in the Tourism and Culture Departments to shape the state's Heritage Tourism Framework so as to promote the state's treasure of built heritage as well as the rich repository of art, culture, handicraft, cuisine and music.
"The panel would hold series of consultations with the Rajasthan-based Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) to convert the state's built heritage into remunerative and productive assets," an official spokesperson said.

The chief minister, who also holds the charge of tourism portfolio, gave the orders after a luncheon meeting with delegates of IHHA, including its President, Gaj Singhji of the Jodhpur royal family here.
Asking the Tourism Department to take a leaf out of Rajasthan's initiatives, which has translated the grandeur of its palaces, castles and forts into prime objects of heritage sightseeing, Sayeed said, the state needs to similarly project its shrines and pilgrim destinations on a much larger canvas.
Emphasisisng on involving local stakeholders in reviving old villas as heritage cottages, cafes, museums and cultural centres, so that they become productive assets, the chief minister described houseboats, handicraft and cuisines as part of its rich heritage.

"Our state is a goldmine of heritage assets and the government will take all steps to showcase them by maintaining the regal essence of its glorious past," he said.

Highlighting the attraction of an inquisitive traveller towards the bygone eras, Sayeed said, reviving the state's heritage assets and showcasing them as centrepieces of the culture will save these properties from decay.
Referring to the steps taken by the government to resurrect these sectors which saw major setback during the years of turbulence, Sayeed said "In the past, cultural tourism and handicraft sectors, being prime attraction for visitors were the main sources of income for the people of the state."

Describing various cultures of the state as its greatest binding force, the chief minister said, the state is safe because of its multiculturalism and hospitality.
"We have won hearts of the people because of the love and affection we have showered upon them," he said.
Established in 2001 with 13 members, IHHA has grown into one of country's major heritage organisations with 184 members. Its delegates also convened an Executive Committee meeting here yesterday.