MUZAFFARABAD, Aug 12: Azad Kashmir tourism, wildlife, fisheries and archaeological department has hired the services of a consultant firm to explore tourism potential and suggest measures for the establishment and development of the tourist resorts in the state, an official told Dawn here on Monday.

Director tourism Farooq Ahmed Mughal said the firm would conduct tourist traffic survey from Aug 14 besides visiting different picturesque spots identified by the department with potential for tourism and preparing a master plan for ten years for the promotion of tourism.

The firm, which would be paid Rs two million for the purpose, would also submit comprehensive short and long term plans in this regard, he added.

The project is aimed at converting the tourism sector into an industry in accordance with the priorities of the government and thus generate economic activities in the state, he said. He added that the base for the purpose already existed and the department was endeavouring to broaden it in a scientific way.

A separate survey of the archaeological sites including forts in different parts of Azad Kashmir was also being conducted through the same firm, also at a cost of Rs two million, Mr Farooq said.

The firm had submitted its report on Muzaffarabad Fort located along the left bank of River Neelum within the municipal area, he said.

Though the report was under study, the department had already allocated Rs five million for the preservation and renovation of the fort during the current financial year, he added.

The construction of Muzaffarabad Fort was started during Chak dynasty in Kashmir in 1549 to strengthen its defence against Mughal emperor Akbar. However, it was completed in 1652 during the rule of Sultan Muzaffar Khan, founder of Muzaffarabad.

Mr Mughal said there were at least seven other forts besides a number of other historical sites across Azad Kashmir which would be preserved and protected on priority basis.

Feasibility study and master plan of zoos in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur and establishing recreational parks in Pattika and Pir Chinasi on the outskirts of the AJK capital were also being held at a cost of Rs three million. The cost of these four projects was estimated to be about Rs 60 million, he said.