Tourism Deptt. condoles Ashraf Batkoo’s demise

The Department of Tourism has condoled the demise of former Director-General, Tourism, Muhammad Ashraf Batkoo who passed away last night here.

The deceased had served the Department in various capacities and rose to the position of Director-General.

Soon after hearing of Mr. Batkoo’s demise, a condolence meeting was convened at the Directorate of Tourism here this morning in which the speakers recalled the contribution rendered by late Mr. Batkoo in the development of Tourism in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

The condolence meeting was chaired by Secretary, Tourism, Culture, Youth Services & Sports, Sarmad Hafeez.

Addressing the meeting, Mr. Sarmad Hafeez said late Mr. Batkoo was an encyclopedia of Kashmir tourism whose contribution in its growth and development is unparalleled. He said he had the passion of promoting Kashmir tourism to such an extent that he did it even after his retirement through his newspaper columns and books.

“He popularised Adventure tourism in Jammu & Kashmir in a big way and his contribution in getting Ladakh on the tourist map would always immortalize Batkoo sahib”, the Tourism Secretary said in his address in the condolence meeting.

Mr. Hafeez prayed for peace to the departed soul of Mr. Batkoo and conveyed his sympathies with the bereaved family.

Director, Tourism, Kashmir, Nisar Ahmad Wani in his address said with his vast experience in tourism, trekking, and adventure sports, Mr. Batkoo made a phenomenal contribution to J&K’s tourism which would be remembered by one and all. He also prayed for peace to the departed soul.

The condolence meeting was attended by all the senior officers and staff of the Tourism Department.

Similar condolence meetings were held at the offices of the Tourism Department at New Delhi and Jammu.

Considered as the founder of adventure tourism in Kashmir, Mr. Batkoo played a key role in developing Ladakh as a tourist destination and bringing it on the tourist map of the world. He would write frequently about the history of the land, tourism, and other social issues. He also authored a couple of books on Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.