Srinagar, April 7: Nigeen Tourist Traders Association (NTTA), one of Kashmir’s important tourism business associations has called upon the Kashmir to allow rebuilding and maintenance of houseboats to save the rapidly degrading houseboat industry in Kashmir.
According to a statement issued to Ziraat Times, NTTA said, “Houseboat is a heritage property which is already ailing and the apathy showed towards it has led to their sharp decline. Once a torch bearer of Tourism Industry, the houseboat industry is at the verge of extinction”.
“In recent separate fire incidents in Dal & Nigeen lakes, where houseboats are moored, numerous heritage properties were reduced to ashes. It is unfortunate that in absence of a proper fire fighting system, which is a long pending demand of the houseboat owners, the properties worth cores were lost to the apathy.
In absence of any refurbish, repair or renovation policy the houseboats owners who have lost everything in the inferno towards their service to the tourism industry, are finding it impossible to restore their livelihoods by re-constructing the houseboats”, the tourism association said.
“The exemplary courage displayed by the houseboat owners by saving the life of tourists in the recent fire incident has been lauded by all. Officers from Administration, political leaders, civil society members visited and expressed their concern, however the big question is how these houseboats owners can be helped”, the statement added.
The association has highlighted the following issues which need to be addressed on priority for saving these heritage assets:
Setting up of comprehensive fire fighting system in both Dal and Nigeen.
Single window clearance system of registrations & permission to rebuild and refurbish.
Subsidised Timber
Financial assistance
“We hope the administration will devise a comprehensive plan for the immediate redressal of the long pending demands of the houseboat owners”, Chairman, NTTA, said.
