SRINAGAR: Centre for Hospitality and Tourism Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University Rajouri in collaboration with WWF-India organised one day national workshop on community based tourism with special focus on Pir Panjal region of Jammu and Kashmir.
Prof. Akbar Masood, Vice Chancellor of the University lauded the efforts of the organising committee for hosting the event. Prof. Akbar said that Community-based tourism not only gives you a real insight into local lives, but also ensures your travel experience makes a genuine difference to local people. Prof.Akbar mentioned that CBT experiences vary greatly depending on the places you visit and needs of the local people, meaning every experience is unique. Prof.Akbar said that there is great potential for developing community based in PirPanjalRegion. The Vice Chancellor mentioned that being a responsible Institution of higher education , BGSBU is committed to play a pivotal role in shaping the socio-economic landscape of the region and Community Based Tourism is one such area where the University will be coordinating with Government and Non Government Organisations for various capacity building initiatives.
Prof. Iqbal Parwez Dean Academic Affairs in his address applauded the efforts of the Centre for Hospitality and Tourism for taking a lead in organising the first ever offline event after the University has resumed offline classes. Prof. Iqbal thanked the eminent speakers who travelled from different parts of the country for participating in the workshop.
Saleem Beg , Former DG Tourism Jammu and Kashmir delivered the keynote address. In his address Beg highlighted various important facets of Community Based Tourism and focused on a long term sustainable approach to develop strategies for the promotion of Community Based Tourism in Pir Panjal Region of Jammu and Kashmir. The other experts who deliberated on various themes included Suhana Ahmed, Anil Sharma, Vaihbav Sharma, Mani Mahesh and Dr. Rayaz qureshi, Dr. Ankit Sood, Dr. Priyadarshini Shreshtha, Dr. Kafeel Ahmed , Dr. Jatinder Kuma and Suheel Mir. Dr. Danish Iqbal delivered the welcome address, Rohit Rattan from WWF-India brief the audience about the background of the workshop and Dr. Parvez Abdulla , Organising Secretary of the workshop presented the vote of thanks. Dr. Mamta Bhat conducted the proceedings of the workshop. Those who were present on the occasion included Dean Education Prof. GM Malik, Heads of Various departments, OSD Sports and Physical Education, Officers of the University, research scholars and students from BGSBU and Colleges and Universities of Jammu and Kashmir.

KR Desk