New Delhi, Feb 06: Asserting that delayed implementation of national-level training institutions is holding back Kargil’s winter sports ecosystem, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, on Thursday pressed the Union Government for the immediate operationalisation of the long-announced branch of the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IISM) at Kargil, terming it central to building a structured and professional winter sports base in the district.
Dr. Akhoon raised the issue during his meeting with Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, in New Delhi, where he submitted a set of proposals aimed at strengthening winter and adventure tourism in Kargil district.
During the meeting, the CEC briefed the Minister on Kargil’s potential to emerge as a year-round tourism destination and sought the Ministry’s support for focused interventions to improve tourism infrastructure and expand local employment opportunities.
At the outset, Dr. Akhoon raised the long-pending Linkipal Ski Slope Project. He informed the Ministry that although the project had earlier made progress, it could not be completed due to procedural hurdles. He stressed that the ski slope is vital for the growth of winter tourism, creation of local employment and for building Kargil’s profile as an adventure tourism destination in Ladakh. He requested the Ministry to consider supporting the project under an appropriate central framework.
The CEC also took up the issue of the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IISM) branch at Kargil, affiliated with Gulmarg, which was announced earlier but has not yet become operational. He underlined that the early functioning of the institute would help organise winter sports activities in the district, provide professional training in alpine skiing and create structured skill development opportunities for local youth in the field of adventure sports.
To enhance the national visibility of the district, Dr. Akhoon proposed the organisation of a familiarisation tour for leading tour operators, travel writers, social media influencers and media professionals from across the country. He said the initiative would help showcase Kargil’s diverse landscapes, cultural heritage, adventure experiences and local hospitality to a wider audience, thereby encouraging higher tourist inflow.
The CEC further proposed the establishment of an Integrated Adventure Sports Centre in Suru Valley. Citing the area’s high-altitude terrain, glaciers, rivers and diverse natural features, he said the proposed centre would support organised and safe adventure activities, offer professional training facilities and help position Kargil as a year-round adventure tourism destination, with special emphasis on winter sports.
The Union Minister gave a patient hearing to the submissions and conveyed a positive response to the proposals placed before the Ministry.
Dr. Akhoon expressed hope that support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism would help strengthen tourism-led livelihoods in Kargil and promote balanced regional growth in the district.
