Multi-talented siblings...Page 4 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2019 INTERNET EDITION : www.dailyexcelsior.com/magazine Bhagwad Gita...Page 3 Jammu Tourism yet to take-off Ajay Khajuria tourist attractions in the region as per their choice, before they return. The empathetic declaration of its intent, by The latent tourism product of the region the Central Government, to boost tourism in provides opportunities for attracting a wide Jammu and Kashmir has raised expectations spectrum of tourists interested in Leisure, on both sides of the Pir Panchal. While in the valley, prospects of a renewed effort to revive Adventure, Culture and Heritage Tourism tourism brings hope of return to business besides implementation of Ecotourism, in as usual accruing from the well developed addition to the existing Pilgrimage tourism. and promoted, but currently hibernating, With the labour intensive nature of tourism tourism product of Kashmir, in respect of and its multiplier effect on employment in the underpromoted Jammu region too it related sectors, this has the potential of hav- brings hope that the vast tourism potential ing a significant impact on Jammu's urban as existing throughout the length and breadth well as the rural economies, including in its of the province will finally be promoted to remotest areas. realize its potential, and thereby, open up The foundations for promoting tourism to new job opportunities including in its rural Jammu in a holistic manner already stand and remote areas. laid over a decade ago when, during a short spurt of all round activity, the Tourism Constituting over 62 percent of the total Department created basic land area of the Union Territory of Jammu infrastructure/amenities for tourists at a and Kashmir, the Sub-Himalayan Jammu large number of the potential destinations Region is well known as a pilgrimage tourism across the region. However the required destination. However the full tourism poten- effort has not been visible during the inter- tial of its largely untapped mountainscapes vening period to promote these potential which host innumerable areas of pristine nat- areas in an effective manner. ural beauty and a varied and rich cultural her- In the above backdrop, a multi-stakehold- itage has virtually remained under the bushel er effort is now the need of the hour to real- so far. ize Jammu's full tourism potential, with the Jammu's variegated topography which, Government providing for properly managed except for a narrow portion of the alluvial amenities and services in existing and poten- Indo-Gangetic plains skirting its South- duck, etc. seen in the Gharana, Surinsar- Paragliding at Pancheri, Pouni, Aghar Jitto, Billawar, Bhaderwah, are potential attrac- tial destination areas, putting in place an Western boundary, is mostly hilly and moun- Mansar, Makwal, and other Wetlands which, Athem, and Chinta; Skiing at Patnitop, Mad- tions, if properly showcased. Similarly, the tainous, comprising the Shivalik Range along effective marketing strategy, gearing up the though holding an immense attraction, are hatop, Sanasar, Padri, Sarthal and Dhaggar; pageantry of the unique folk cultures pre- with offshoots of the lesser Himalayas regulatory mechanism, promoting human practically unknown. River-rafting in the Chenab near Reasi and sented by the inhabitants of the different val- stretching across its middle, and rimmed by resource development and facilitating com- Also hidden away since centuries, in the Akhnoor; Aquatic sports at Satbain/Basholi leys and other sub-regions tucked away in the the mighty Pir Panjal Range and Kishtwar munity participation; with the industry lead- mountainous areas of Jammu, are scores of (Ranjit Sagar Lake) and Thanpal (Salal hills and mountains of Jammu, including the Himalaya along its North-East, has around ers, on their part, rising to the occasion and beautiful meadows, valleys and lakes. nomadic tribal culture; the colorful Mela Patt 68.5 percent of the total forest cover in the Lake); and, Mountaineering in the Kishtwar improving standards, coming up with revised Though, over time, some basic infrastructure Himalayas, there are innumerable trekking at Bhaderwah and the huge rural mela at packages and making investments in innova- Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and amenities for tourists have been created which includes areas with the salubrious opportunities in the entire mountainous area Jhiri; the vibrant Dogra theatre; and the tive individual enterprise or public private at many of these attractive locations like of the region for both the summer as well as melodious contributions of household names partnerships; and, not the least, with the 'Deodar' Forests, comparable in terms of Sanasar, Patnitop, Bhaderwah, Jai Valley, pristine beauty, to tourist destinations in the winter months. However, despite an increas- like K. L. Sehgal, Begam Akhtar and many youth of the region participating wholeheart- Sarthal, Mansar Lake and Surinsar Lake, etc. ing trend for exploring new areas for under- others, are testimony to the rich cultural her- edly by empowering themselves with the 'Black Forests' region in Germany, visited by and which, no doubt, have come to be fre- millions of tourists annually. taking such activities amongst tourists with- itage of the region. knowledge and skills required to feul the quented by increasing number of tourists, a in the country and abroad, these activities The pilgrims/tourists visiting the World change and to partake the benefits accruing A number of Wildlife Sanctuaries stand sustained and concerted effort to develop have not been adequately encouraged, and famous Holy Shrine of Vaishnodeviji also like through entrepreneurship or availing job notified in the region amongst which the these destinations as vibrant tourist resorts efforts made to attract adventure sports to visit other known pilgrimage centers opportunities. Kishtwar High Altitude National Park is with all required amenities and services, and enthusiasts here leave much to be desired. which dot the hilly landscape in the region In the ultimate analysis, it is the effective- home to several rare and endangered species to promote them nationally and internation- Jammu also hosts substantial fare for the like Shivkhori, Budha Amarnath, Shahadara ness of the efforts made by the concerned of mammals, like the Snow Leopard, famous ally as leisure tourism destinations, has tourists interested in exploring different cul- Sharief, Dera Baba Banda, Sudh Mahadev, authorities to bring all stakeholders in sync Kashmir Stag 'Hangul' which migrates to this remained conspicuously missing. park during winters, the Musk Deer, Ibex, tures. The World famous miniature paintings Machail Mata, Sukhrala Mata, Chichi Mata to take the challenge which will determine the Similarly, opportunities for adventure Himalayan Tahr, Markhor, Himalayan Black of Basholi; a multitude of Forts, Palaces and and Raghunath Temple, besides other pil- success in actualizing the Government of activities like river rafting, paragliding, ski- bear, and Brown Bear, etc. and holds tremen- other heritage structures, including the grimage centers in Jammu, the City of Tem- India's declared policy of developing Jammu ing, trekking and nature camps, etc. are dous potential for promotion of Ecotourism, Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex- the seat ples, but little has been done to facilitate such and Kashmir at par with other highly devel- afforded in abundance by the high mountain if properly implemented. A large variety of of power of the erstwhile rulers who had visits. Moreover this captive tourist/pilgrim oped States and Union Territories in the peaks and glaciers; high altitude lakes; rivers birds belonging to different species can also carved out the State of Jammu and Kashmir, traffic of around 10 million visiting the Holy country, in respect of this important sector of with ice cool waters; mountain streams, be found across the region, including aquat- are a treat for any visitor. Heritage structures Shrine every year, presents a golden oppor- its economy. water-falls, springs and trekking routes etc. ic (largely migratory) birds like Mallard, at Poonch, Rajouri, (including spots along tunity for diverting a large chunk out of these (The author is a retired KAS officer and a former that mark Jammu's landscape. Besides Eurasian Wigeon, Bar headed Geese, Shel- the old Mughal route) Reasi, Kirmchi, Babor, tourists to experience all other kinds of Director Tourism, Jammu) Skrinking SHESHNAG LAKE Romesh Kumar Pandita months during the year, after which it freezes. Even dur- Situated 120 kilometres east from Srinagar ing peak summers, the water of the lake remains ice cold. and 23 km from Pahalgam Sheshnag Lake Travellers have to climb up through a steep moun- derives its name from the Hindu mythology that tain Pass called Pissutop and then cross the valley called considers Sheshnag as the King of the Nagas, Pissu-ghati, followed by climbing Kutta Gati at Zojibal, or the serpent God with six heads. Sheshnag before reaching Sheshnag Lake. The Scenic view of the valleys and snow clad peaks in a distance are magnifi- Lake is mainly fed by the streams originating cent and mesmerising. from glaciers and snow clad mountains all round There are no hotels or guest houses around the lake its periphery overlooking this magnificent and except tented accommodation in the camping site dur- beautiful lake. ing Yatra period every year ; away from lake to main- tain sanctity of the sacred lake. The lush green lake water usually freezes during win- The Lake is mainly fed by glacier discharge through ter. Along with its scientific importance, the lake has Gratbal nallah joining it from catchment area of MG top special significance for Hindu followers as well. The side and number of snow/glacier fed nallah on south- Lake is Oligotrohic Lake (water body that has low con- ern side. These nallahs carry lot of bed loads in the shape tent of algal production and thus is clear water of high of Gravel (of different sizes) and sand. Gravel, sand in drinking quality) and lake appears the shape of bed load of these nal- greenish in colour because of lush Hindu Pilgrims who come from lahs gets deposited in the sacred green meadows making it breathtak- lake. that size of the sacred lake has reduced by at least by ried as bed load by the incoming tributaries. ing beauty to admire. Sheshnag Lake far off places within the country and It is stated that the lake had an 30% past few years due to aforesaid reasons. Scores of environmentalists and other agencies with- is an alpine high altitude lake situated abroad attach a lot of significance to area of about 5 Square Miles and Hindu Pilgrims who come from far off places within in and outside state have been highlighting the environ- along side of track leading to Amar- a depth of 250 feet in the past. But the country and abroad attach a lot of significance to the mental concerns due to impact of Shri Amarnathji nath Cave 23 kilometres from Pahal- the Sacred Lake during their travel over the years of its existence, the Sacred Lake during their travel from Chandanwari to Yatra; though the same runs for a brief period in a year. gam in Anantnag district of Kashmir from Chandanwari to Holy Amarnathji lake has shrunk to an area of 0.77 Holy Amarnathji Cave because they believe,Lord Shi- But none of these environmentalist/agency has ever valley in the Indian state of Jammu Sq. Km (1.10 Km in length and va on his way to Holy Cave to narrate Amar Katha to raised concern of regarding shrinking of the lake due to and Kashmir at an elevation of 3590 Cave because they believe, Lord Shiva o.70 Km in width (app.), due to Mata Parawati, released Sheshnag in this lake. deposition of huge bed load in the body of lake and meters. Though there are various on his way to Holy Cave to narrate two main reasons; i ) the deposi- Lidder River which originates from western side of depletion of poundage of the bed rock on exit side. mythological stories related to the tion of the huge bed load (gravel this magnificent lake in the shape of beautiful mean- Centre and State Government authorities have been lake but the most commonly believed Amar Katha to Mata Parawati, released of different sizes & sand) in the dering stream through mountainous ranges is joined by giving lot of attention to developments at religious one is that Sheshnag Lake basically Sheshnag in this lake. streams that bring water dis- numberless streams enroute to Pahalgam where it is places both at Jammu and Srinagar provinces and a the belongs to Sheshnag, the Lord of charge into the lake area ii) pro- joined by another major tributary coming from Arav Central Government has been providing lot of funds to Snakes, and is said to be dug by the Lord himself. gressive erosion of bed rock on outflow side that has Valley. The discharge from Sheshnagh has over the promote religious tourism. The authorities need to pay Because of its presence on the route to holy Amarnath resulted in reduction of storage level within the lake lev- years progressively eroded the level of rock at the exit attention to the problem of scouring of the bank on out- Cave, Sheshnag Lake is also a sacred pilgrimage site. el. The discharge streams carrying bed load of sand and point of the lake; creating a v notch; leading to reduc- let side of the sacred lake; and consider ways and means Travellers can easily trek this must visit Pahalgam gravel and progressive erosion of a weir type natural tion of the natural poundage level in the sacred Shesh- for raising of level by way of construction of weir type tourist place from Chandanwadi Valley, which is only obstruction of rock has resulted in reduction of the nag Lake thus resulting in shrinkage of water storage structure for raising the poundage level in the lake and about 12 KMs away. poundage in the lake both in spread area and depth of area. The depth of the lake is constantly reducing year also take other appropriate preventive measures to save The Sheshnag Lake can only be visited for a few a beautiful and mesmerising lake. It has been observed after year due to settlement of aggregate and sand car- the lake from shrinking further.