POONCH DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TOURISM)

1. Introduction The District Poonch is popularly known as mini Kashmir and is one among the remote districts of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the place of Rishis & Munis and is at distance of two hundred and fifty (250) Kms from Jammu connected by National Highway. The Poonch District comprising of six Tehsils i.e. Poonch (Haveli), Mandi, Mendhar, Balakote, Mankote and Surankote. It is bounded by the Actual Line of Control (LoC) from three sides. The LoC is about 103 Kms. from Tarkundi in Balakote to Sawjian in Mandi. Poonch has witnessed many historical events and has been ruled by outsiders and locals at different junctures till it became a part of independent India. In Poonch there are very attractive places/scenic spots which can be developed from the tourism point of view. Poonch is also famous for Border Tourism as the same is located near the LOC. Keeping in view, the importance of Poonch a separate authority namely Tourism Development Authority Poonch was established in the year 2005-06 vide Govt. Order No.209-TSM of 2005 Dated:-27-09-2005 and started functioning in 2006-07. Since the inception of the Tourism Authority of Poonch a number of Tourism infrastructures have been created and some of the projects are underway/in progress for completion. There are many scenic spots/tourist destinations which could be developed by way of installing chair lifts etc. In near future when the whole infrastructure from the tourism point of view will be developed the Poonch shall become a Model place for the tourists’ domestic/national/international to visit being located on the Border. 2. Tourism Scenario The District Poonch has distinct historical background, rich cultural heritage, charming natural spots and famous shrines and sufi dargahs etc. These fabulous destinations are categorized as: I. Pilgrim Tourism II. Heritage Tourism III. Natural Tourism IV. Adventure Tourism I. Pilgrim Tourism It has Distinct Historical background, rich cultural heritage, charming natural spots and famous Religious Shrines and Sufi Darghas etc. There is a great potential of religious tourism in this region because some important Hindu, Muslim & Sikh shrines with deep religious background are located in this region. Apart from the renowned Muslim shrines, i.e Ziarat Ellahi Bakhash, Ziarat Sain Miran Sahib, Ziarat Chottey Shah, Ziarat Than Pir, Dana Shah Satar etc. There are some popular Hindu and sikh religious places are also like centuries old Temple of Sh. Budha Amarnath Ji Mandi, Dashnami Akhara Temple Poonch, Ram Kund temple at Mendhar, Gurudwara Dera Nangali Sahib and Gurudwara Dheri Sahib at Khari etc. Besides usual visit of local pilgrims, there is great rush of tourists at these religious places during special occasions such as Urs, Amarnath Yatra and Basakhi etc. II. Heritage The Poonch is very rich and distinct from other parts of UT from Heritage points of view. Its marvellous old palaces, attractive Forts, old Temples, Bowlies with inscription and idols of pre-historic time, Mughal constructions alongside the Mughal Road like Marh at Rattan Pir, Memories of Mughal King Jhangir and NoorJahan with Noorichamb, ruins of a Baradhri at Chandimarh and Gouh Gaddian near Poshana and Aliabaad Sarai etc. The unique cuisines and melodious folklores are some of the important characteristic of the heritage of Poonch region. III. Natural/Scenic Spots The Poonch District has great scenic tourism potential. As it is located on the foot hills of Pir Panchal range, there are series of mountain ranges with snow covered lofty peaks, thick belts of forests on the slopes, number of beautiful valleys, gushing streams, lush green pastures with multi colour flowers, milky waterfalls and crystal clear lakes etc. The overlooking view from Bimber Gali, Dera-Ki-Gali, Tota Wali Gali, Dana Shah Star Top, Krishna Ghati, Jabi Toti, Nandi Chool, Jammu Shaheed, Prithpal hill & Than Pir etc. are mesmerizing. With the opening of Mughal Road and Poonch Rawlakote road across LOC, these scenic spots have started getting attraction of tourists/Guests. IV. Adventure Tourism If the world famous resorts like Gulmarg, Yousmarg, Aharbal Fall are located on the northern slope of Peer Panchal, then the most beautiful natural spots like Sawajian, Loran, Valley of Seven Lakes, Noorichamb & Nandichool Water Falls, Snow Capped Peaks, Meadows, Dhoks with colourful Tribal life are situated in the southern slopes of Poonch. These places are connected with each other through important passes like Noor Pur Pass, Jamia Pass, Choti Gali Pass and Pir Gali Pass etc. There is a tremendous scope of Adventure Tourism in District Poonch. 3. Tourism products: Peacanuts, Walnuts, Rajmash, Morchilla (Guchi), Anardhana, Kaladi, Chikhdi wood crafts (Cutlari, comb etc), B. Ongoing works of PMRP

S. Name of the Work E. Cost Funds Expenditu Status No. (Rs. In released (Rs. re Lakhs) In Lakhs)

1 Tourist Arrival Centre at 142.89 114.30 114.28 Finishing stage Gurudwara at Nangali Sahib. 2 Tourist Arrival Centre at 142.89 114.28 114.28 Finishing stage Shri. Buddha Amarnath ji Mandi.

3 Tourist Arrival Centre 133.96 107.16 78.28 Work in progress Ziyarat Sain Miran Sahib Guntrian Poonch.

Total:- 419.74 335.74 306.84

In view of the huge scope in Tourism as mentioned above, the PDA has taken steps detailed under for improving overall scope of Tourism in the District A. Projects already Submitted: i. Development of Tourist Park along Mughal Road at Pir-Ki-Gali (Nilana Top). Rs.485.00 Lakhs ii. Development of Tourist Park near Pond at Khorinar Poonch Town. Rs.234.22 Lakhs iii. Development of Nandichool Water Fall Including Approach Road at Loran. Rs.170.04 Lakh iv. Development of Religious Circuits in District Poonch Rs 4836.67 Lakhs

B. Projects to be submitted 1. Development of Adventure/Scenic Circuit in District Poonch Rs 7007.79 Lakhs i. Development of Wayside Amenity along Poonch- Jammu Road at BG ii. Dev. Of park nr Hanuman Mandir Mendhar iii. Dev. Of Tourist spot Dana Shahsatar Mendhar iv. Dev. Of Tourist facilities at Shiv Khori Poonch v. Dev of Tourist Park near Nangali sahib vi. Dev of Tourist spot Monathil & Prithpal Sanghiote vii. Dev. Of Tourist Park at Narian & trekking path to Magiana viii. Dev. Of Tourist facilities at Jabbi Totti Mandi ix. Dev of Tourist facilities at Nandichool water fall Loran x. Dev. Of Tourist Spot Sankh doda,Saikloo, Noorpur,Gali pindi & sathra xi. Dev. Of Tourist park nr Zariat pamrote surankote xii. Dev of Zariat Sharian Jammu Shaheed Phagla Skt xiii. Way side aminities along Mughal Raod Nilana top Peer ki gali xiv. Dev of Zariat Murunde shah Balakote

C. Projects approved/proposed in UT Capex for the years 2020-21 & 2021-22 The PDA has submitted certain components from the above mentioned projects in the UT Capex 2020-21 & 2021-22 also so that the works could be initiated at the earliest. The Capex plan is detailed as under S. No Name of the Work Activity Wise Location Project Estimated Status Initiate Cost of Year Project 1 Development of Ziyarat Rehlan Gohlad Mendhar 2020-21 39.57 In progress Mendhar.

Wazu khana at Ziyarat Shareef Main Mdr 2020-21 16.00 In progress 2 Charag Alam Badshah Qasab. 3 Development of Ziyarat Peer Chande Shah Balakote 2021-22 39.15 In progress Badshah at Bhatadhurian. 4 Development of Tourist Park near Pond at Poonch 2020-21 39.48 In progress Khorinar Poonch Town. 5 Children Park near Mendhar Town. Mendhar 2020-21 39.46 In progress

6 Development of Tourist Park at Gallian Mandi 2019-20 49.43 In progress Danna Near BSF Post Village Arai Peera 7 TehsilDevlopment Mandi. of Touriest Park at Narian Mandi 2021-22 40.00 Proposed 8 DevlopmentSawjian of Touriest Park at Danna Skt/mdr 2021-22 40.00 Proposed Shastar Mendhar 9 Devlopment of Touriest Park at Sultan patri Loran 2021-22 35.00 Proposed Loran 10 Dev. Of Land Scaping/ pathway nr Tourist Poonch 2021-22 25.00 Proposed Arrival Centre at Zariat Sain baba Miran 11 DevlopmentBaksh of Touriest Park nr historic Mendhar 2021-22 37.50 Proposed Hanuman Temple Mdr 12 Const of View Points along the Mughal Skt/Balak 2021-22 40.00 Proposed road, BG. to poonch including Poonch City ote/poonc View (07 Nos) h 13 Dev of Tourist park nr Ajote War Memorial Poonch 2021-22 35.00 Proposed Poonch 14 Dev. Of Tourist Park Gali Pindi/ Mandi 2021-22 150.00 Proposed Salonia/Sankh Doda 15 Const of Public convenience at Tourist spot Mankote 2021-22 20.00 Proposed zariat Chajjala Sharief 16 Const of Cafeteia & public Convenience Skt 2021-22 49.23 Proposed along with Mughal Road (15 kanals land acquired from Forest Deptt

D. Development of Heritage Tourism: Proposal submitted to Culture Department for development of below mentioned works i. Poonch Fort. --- damaged during 2005 earthquak -Required Mega Project for repair and Renovation ii. Sheesh Mahal Poonch. iii. Town Hall Building Poonch. iv. Moti Mahal Poonch. v. Baldev Mahal Poonch. vi. Nazamudin Masjid Poonch. vii. Ruins of Pandav Mahal Mendhar. viii. Ram Kund Temple Mendhar. ix. Dev of Mughal Bowali at BG Nr Tower x. Dev. Of Historical kote at Surankote xi. Dev of Prithpal peek E. Development of Adventure Tourism: i. New Trekking Routes:-  Loran to Nandichool (7Km).  Sawajian to Seri Magiana (12Km).  Peer-Ki-Gali to Seven Lakes (13Km).  Chandimarh to Ganga Choti (18Km). ii. New Ropeways Proposal:- Letter communicated to Director Tourism, Jammu for direction to Cable Car Corporation, Jammu for preparation of DPR). . Narian to Magiana Seri approximate length 5.0Kms Poonch . Loran to Tosh Madian approximate length 2.5Kms.