FROM THE DESK OF EXECUTIVE COUNCILOR, TOURISM, LAHDC KARGIL

            Kargil district  was opened for foreign tourists during the year 1974. A big stretch of area of Kargil border with Pakistan and has been remained a strategic area having fought the war of 1965 and 1971 at its border also.

            The District is inhibited with many racial stocks like Dard, Aryan, Mongoloid, etc. Many languages are spoken here. The people of Drass use Shina language, people residing in Karkitchoo, Hardass and surrounding areas speak Balti, people residing in Zanskar speak "Tibeto-Ladakhi", and rest of the area speak Purki. The people living in Darchiks-Garkone in Batalik area who are Aryan in feature speak different language Brokpa.

            Kargil has a unique historical background having established the kingdoms by various Kings, warriors, Kachos Rmaqpons, Chiefstains by preserving their unique culture tradition, art and artifacts. Gasho Thathakhan, Purik Sultan, Nima Namgyal Lde of Zanskar, Kunchok Sheraftan of Foker and Kachos of Sod, Pashkum, Wakha, Chicktan were among others who strengthen their domain, making a shape to Kargil, later to become a part of Jammu and Kashmir State.

            Kargil is known for a place between castles, have many ancient forts, castles, palaces located at the elevated hillocks, give a fascinating look. The Iranian structured Masque and Imambaras in most part of Kargil, the Tibetan architectural Gompas in some other places of Kargil and Zanskar further give an elegant look to the villages studded in the hilly terrains. the scenic beauty, the landscapes, the meadows, the snow-capped mountains including world famous Nun and Kun peaks with heights of 7,135 Meters and 7,083 Meters further beautifies Kargil. A good flow of foreign tourists poured in since 1974 with an average of 8000 in the Eighties. The border shelling in Kargil with the result of militancy in Kashmir, flow of tourists abruptly got stalled giving a big jolt to the tourist trade in Kargil. this stoppage has put the tourist operating agencies, the hoteliers in Kargil in a bad shape. The culmination of border shelling in the shape of Kargil war opened new vistas far home tourists as well to visit Tiger Hill, the Tololing, the Chorbat-La.

            From the Desk of Executive Councilor, Tourism, I will endeavor to pull bank the lost tourist industry, happened as side effect of the militancy. My utmost attempt would be to open the restricted areas like Batalik and Chicktan for foreign tourists and to provide incentives for opening Guest Houses in the whole district, earlier this facility was given in some selected places only.

            I would also do my best to put the Industry sector like Handicraft, Handloom, Khadi Village and I.T.I of Kargil to receive name and fame.

(Sonam Namgyal)
Executive Councilor (Tourism & Industries)
Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council
Kargil.