Leh: Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Ladakh, Kacho Mehboob Ali Khan chaired a meeting regarding ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ and Cleanliness Drive at Tourist Spots.
At the outset, the Secretary briefed all participants about the previous meetings regarding the “Har Ghar Tiranga” programme and the steps to make the 7-day programme successful. He urged Ladakh Tour Operators Association (ALTOA), All Ladakh Guest House Association (ALGHA), All Kargil Tour & Travel Association and Taxi Union, Leh/Kargil for active involvement & participation in promoting and celebrating the programme to make it a peoples’ movement.
The Secretary while discussing ‘Cleanliness Drive at Tourist Spots’ emphasised that for tourism to thrive, maintenance of hygiene, cleanliness and sanitation is vital. Consistent efforts are required from every citizen to maintain sanitation standards at tourist places, which will have a positive impact on both – tourism and the local community. Therefore, he directed the officials to carry out a 2-day cleanliness drive every month till October at tourist spots along with all tourism related stakeholders in Leh and Kargil districts. The Secretary also requested the taxi unions to contribute in creating awareness among tourists, visitors and others who use their services and, as in being followed now, always keep garbage bags to manage the waste generated by their service users during travel. He also suggested and requested the taxi unions to have a uniform for all taxi drivers in the UT. Message of cleanliness can be spread through slogans printed on the uniform. Further, the hotels/guest houses/ resorts/homestays and taxies are the primary interface for tourists/visitors and hence their interactions with tourists/visitors and others who use their services will definitely have an impact if persistent effort is made.
The Secretary was apprised about the completed and progress on ongoing works related to wayside amenities in Ladakh. The Secretary directed the concerned officers to operationalise the completed wayside amenities immediately and to expedite the remaining work and make them operational as soon as possible. Better wayside amenities will improve tourist experience, safety, need and also reduce fatigue due to travel.
The meeting was attended by Director, Tourism, Ladakh; CEO, LDA/Additional Deputy Commissioner, Leh; CEO, KDA/ACR, Kargil; Executive Engineer, LDA, Leh; Executive Engineer, KDA, Kargil; Executive Engineer, ZDA, Zanskar; Assistant Director, Tourism, Kargil; President, All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association (ALGHA); President, Taxi Union, Leh/Kargil; President, All Kargil Travel & Tour Association (AKTTA); and other officials from concerned departments.
Ladakh Tourism District Administration, Leh Press Information Bureau – PIB, Government of India
