(Asian News Hub) – The famous tourist resort of Doodhpathri in Budgam district was opened as an offbeat winter destination here on Wednesday. The tourists could be seen enjoying activities like snow biking and skiing at the resort, UNI reported.
“We have taken up measures to promote Doodhpathri as an offbeat destination for tourists during the winter now who were earlier only enjoying the trip limited to pony ride during the summer”, Kashmir Director Tourism G N Itoo said while talking to media persons after declaring open the snow-clad Doodpathri for the toruists.
The picturesque Doodhpathri or the valley of milk as its called is situated in Khan Sahab area in central Kashmir district of Budgam was being visited by the tourists only during the summer for its scenic beauty and pony ride was the only activity available there.
He said the tourists would now enjoy snow biking, Atvs and Skiing on the snow bound slope of Doodpathri and said “it would be a good experience for the beginners who will visit here”.
He said, as Gulmarg remains the hot spot for the tourists during the winter, Doodpathri would also be an interesting place for the tourists to visit in the near future.
He said tourist activities at Doodpathri will also open doors of livelihood for the local populace.
The domestic tourists who will visit here from all parts of the country and locals will see a lot of scope for enjoying their day in Doodpathri by cherishing the taste of the scenic beauty besides enjoy the local cuisine including the locally made famous “corn bread and salt tea”, Itoo said.
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The director tourism said that on the directions of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha it was resolved that Sonamarg, Yousmarg and Doodpathiri would be promoted along with Pahalgam as favorable places for the tourists to visit during winters.
In a question the tourism director said the matter of providing communication at Doodpathri has been taken up on a higher level and assured that after some technical issues are being addressed the destination would get a better communication link.
He said the government is very serious about providing better communication facilities to the new tourist spots of Bungus valley, Gurez and other far off tourist destinations besides Doodpathri soon.
The offbeat destinations would get further exposure with the restoration of communications, he added.
Deputy Commissioner Budgam said the reason behind non installation of mobile towers is because the destination usually remains closed for six months due to snow and companies were not interested in setting up their towers.
He said this is for the first time that tourists are visiting Doodpathri during the winters. UNI
