The Indian government has urged local private investors to acquire a collection of 800 heritage structures so the sites can be repurposed as heritage hotels, craft centres and visitor attractions.

Naeem Akhtar, education minister for the state of Jammu and Kashmir, said the “cash-strapped” government could not develop all of the state’s heritage sites, urging instead private investors interested in the tourism sector to take the initiative and create new heritage destinations.

Speaking at a conference on preservation, conservation and promotion of built and cultural heritage through tourism, Akhtar added that if investors converted heritage properties to appeal to the tourism industry, then the government would take the step of renovating surroundings and supplying said buildings with running water and power.

800 properties have been listed as heritage sites in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, with the J&K Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) commenting that the government was developing a strategy to fully exploit the heritage tourism potential of the state.

Several suggestions have already been laid out for potential revamped heritage sites in the region, with the development of the Martand Sun Temple into a major heritage and pilgrim site, setting up multiple folk museums and repurposing heritage structures currently being used as government offices.

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