Pradeep Parihar, Prince Billawria and Shubham Dogra have thanked Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir for mentioning their names in the monthly Talk Show ‘Awaam ki Awaaz’ and voicing their suggestions for promotion and development of tourism in Jammu region.
In the Episode 4 broadcasted on Sunday, Lt Governor mentioned Pradeep Parihar from Kishtwar, Prince Billawria from Jammu and Shubham Dogra from Akhnoor, who, he said have shared some interesting suggestions on the promotion of Tourism industry in Jammu.
Pradeep, who runs a tourism initiative by the name of ‘mykishtwar’ for the upliftment of tourism in Kishtwar in particular, says it is an amazing feeling that LG considered their suggestions and hopes that they’ll be implemented soon.
An excerpt of his message to LG reads, “Kishtwar offers different types of tourism. Being a very hilly terrain, it can be explored for different adventure tourism activities like Hiking, Trekking, Paragliding, especially in Chowgan and Paddar areas. The only National Park of Jammu region is in this district, namely Kishtwar High Altitude National Park, a place that needs government attention. Further, there are world famous peaks Brahma 1, Brahma 2, Sickle Moon, Bharnaz, Cerro etc that have been summitted by several international mountaineers over the time. Also, there is a Cliff Hanger road where thousands of bikers visit annually, and find it perfect for off-road biking. Paddar road is in the list of top deadliest roads in Asia. Sinthan Top, a scenic Pass of the district that connects Jammu region with Kashmir is worth exploring along with nearby Locations such as Aloo Farm, Famber Valley and Chingam Valley. Other beautiful places that can attract tourists are Gandhari Valley, Sumcham Valley, Bangar Valley, Sarthal Valley, Chandi Dhar, Marg Top, Pootinaag, Abhshar Ghan and waterfalls in other areas of Paddar, Dachhan, Marwah and Warwan. Kishtwar is known as the Land of Shrines. Annual pilgrimages to Machail Mata, Sarthal Devi, Hudh Mata attract huge participation from all over the country. Ziarats also witness footfall in thousands. Then, a lot many festivals are celebrated here throughout the year. Zagru is one such festival and is celebrated in different tehsils of the district.”
Shubham Dogra, a young tourism enthusiast associated with Voice of Dogras, is heartened to hear his name on the talk show and his points for tourism promotion in Jammu being recognized. Any level of progress in developing tourism here will go long way in adding to the revenue and providing employment to locals, he feels.
He had submitted, “Jammu region has huge tourism potential but the tourist areas are underdeveloped. They don’t have good eateries, toilets, places to stay, or proper road connectivity. Akhnoor, which can be developed into a heritage town having history dating back to Mahabharata period, needs proper infrastructure. A heritage walkway can be made from Jio Pota Ghat to Ambaran via Akhnoor Fort, Pandav Gufa, Parshuram Temple, Gurudwara Baba Sunder Singh. Akhnoor Fort should be conserved; any private entity can be hired for better renovation and maintenance. Light & sound show with emphasis on Dogra/Jammu history can be started. Ghats, walkway, parks and bypass road from Jio Pota Ghat to Harappan – Buddhist site should be renovated. Properly maintained toilets, rest rooms, cafeterias be made at Jio Pota as well as near Harappan site. Water Sports can be introduced, and if possible, a water and amusement park for the children should be developed nearby.”
Prince Billawria, basically from Basohli, Kathua, says it all started with a tweet by LG inviting suggestions and opinions for tourism promotion. Such a thing happening for the first excited him, and he listed six good pointers and shared at the provided contact.
“Having toured different places in the country for nearly seventeen years due to my work commitments, tourism is my favorite subject. But I belong to Jammu division, and I restricted my views in the message to this region only. More so because Jammu is a peaceful territory, connected with other states via road, rail and air throughout the year, having potential for almost all types of tourism that one can think of, yet unexplored and ignored. We need to think beyond Mata Vaishno Devi,” he states.
He adds, “LG talked about two of my suggestions – Bread n Breakfast and PPP model. Jammu’s population might not want their privacy to be invaded by tourists but their trust can be won by a proper strategy inspired from Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. People love to connect and learn about with local culture, art, lifestyle, and cuisines wherever they go. This way, local people will get employment and platform to showcase their hospitality and culture. Then, Public Private Partnership is required because if people have lands, they don’t have money to develop it, and if they have money, they are not well versed with the ways to reach target consumer. I have also suggested tourism circuits, eco-tourism, to economically explore the virgin beauty of region. People will be left in awe on discovering clean water, fresh air, snow capped mountains, and other natural endowments of Jammu.”
LG said during the program that efforts are being made vigorously to increase tourism in all the districts of Jammu division.
“Tourist circuits have been made to promote Adventure, Cultural and Religious Tourism. Now the devotees coming to visit Shri Mata Vaishno Devi would reach other religious and tourist places as well. A plan has also been prepared to develop Mantalai as a tourist destination and encourage tourism in remote areas of Kishtwar. Sinthan Pass and Mughal Road have been opened to the general public and the number of tourists is expected to rise in the coming days,” LG informed.
He added, “Officers of the department have also been asked to take necessary action to promote Jammu tourism circuit and organize a 3-month long Jammu Mahotsav at various tourist places in the division.”
Also: Read my article at The News Now
Jammu youth thank LG for voicing their suggestions for tourism promotion
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