By : Salman Javed.
Talking to a special correspondent of APP, Mr. Salman Javed has said that as domestic tourism continues to boom in our mountain areas, there is a need to adopt immediate measures to ensure the safety of visitors during the monsoon period. Unfortunately, the past two months have seen a number of incidents due to lack of regulatory control on tourism services, poor facilitation by concerned agencies, and carelessness on the part of visitors.
He urged the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), provincial governments, and the governments of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir to develop a common and immediate action plan to prevent incidents related to visitor safety and security. The recent floods in Swat River claimed 17 lives last week, but unofficial reports suggest that the actual number of fatalities in the past two months may be higher.
Furthermore, he emphasized the need for a strong awareness campaign across all print and electronic media to warn tourists about the risks associated with privately arranged transport and neglecting proper rest periods during long drives. This lack of caution has resulted in numerous accidents and fatalities in the area.
He also called upon stakeholders and the government to invest in creating the necessary infrastructure, such as repairing and rebuilding connecting bridges and roads that have been damaged during the monsoon season. By working together, we can ensure a safer and more enjoyable experience for tourists visiting our beautiful mountain areas.
Mr. Salman Javed also urged for the availability of regular machinery during the tourism season for repairing the damaged infrastructure, particularly roads passing alongside the riverine.
