Peace, harmony imperative for tourism: Azad

"...As the situation has improved, tourism has been revived and tourists from across the country and abroad are coming to Jammu and Kashmir" he said inaugurating a 4-day Bhaderwah Tourism-cum-Cultural Festival 2012, here.

He said peace and harmony was imperative for the all round development of tourism and allied sectors.

"Tourism is the fastest growing and most promising sector and Jammu and Kashmir has been the most favoured tourist destination of international and national visitors," he said adding there was a need to develop this lucrative industry in the state on European pattern.

Azad said Bhaderwah was world famous for its pilgrimage sites and it was the right time to explore the pilgrimage tourism potential of the area.

The Health Minister said that to develop Herbal Tourism in the area a project was initiated under a Central scheme at Drudhoo Bhaderwah where medicinal/aromatic plants were planted.

He said the programme was successful as the Herbal Garden has started producing herbal medicinal products like Lavender Oil.

He said seeds of these medicinal plants would be distributed among the farming community for largescale production which would directly benefit the people and boosts the socio-economic condition of the region.