J&K aiming to attract Hollywood & Bollywood :LG Sinha

Srinagar:The Lieutenant Governor of J&K Tuesday stated that the Union Territory reflects the diverse cultural essence of India, and under his administration, film tourism has been revived through the film policy of 2021, aiming to attract Bollywood and Hollywood to the ‘paradise’.

During the opening session of the Third G-20 Tourism Working Group meeting held at SKICC, located on the banks of Dal Lake, Sinha emphasized the implementation of the film policy in 2021 to welcome Bollywood and Hollywood productions.

“In 2022, over 300 films and TV series were filmed in J&K,” the LG stated. “We have added numerous new tourist destinations to the UT’s tourism map, with many already recognized globally. In 2022, J&K received 18 million tourists, contributing 7% to the UT’s total GDP.”

Sinha highlighted that apart from exploring new tourist destinations, the J&K administration has also initiated home stays in various picturesque villages. He expressed confidence in the bright future being created by the youth of J&K and emphasized that the UT represents the cultural fabric of India. Furthermore, he mentioned the development of J&K as a digital society, with 92,500 projects completed in the previous fiscal year, showcasing significant transformation. Sinha also noted that the suggestions put forward during the G-20 meetings, focusing on green tourism, eco-tourism, and small and medium-sized enterprises (S&MEs), have already been implemented by the J&K administration. He expressed hope that the delegates enjoyed the serene and enchanting beauty of the famous Dal Lake.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Jitendera Singh, the Minister of State for Science and Technology, highlighted the wide range of handicrafts offered in Srinagar, including embroidery, paper machie, crewel, and various art forms. He also mentioned the development of new industries and infrastructure, such as the world’s highest rail bridge over the Chenab River in Jammu. Additionally, he highlighted the Lavender cultivation project in the Bhaderwah area of the Jammu region, which has attracted the interest of many entrepreneurs from outside the region to start their businesses.