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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

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