Vivek Puri, JKAS, Chief Executive Officer, Rajouri Development Authority talks to The News Now about Rajouri district, believed to have evolved from Rajapuri – ‘the land of Kings’, an ancient principality and then a great trade center. In this excerpt, he shares upcoming developments and initiatives to make the most of its tourism potential. Read On.
- Please tell us about Rajouri Development Authority.
The Rajouri Development Authority came into existence on 13th October 2006 under the mandate of the J&K Developmental Act 1970 vide SRO-33. Its jurisdiction is spread over nearly 101 villages of the Rajouri district.
The area has several tourist destinations like Shahdara Sharief, Tatta Pani, Chingus, Dehra Ki Gali, Darhal, Budhkanari, Mangla Mata, ChaniParat Temple, Vir Bhadreshwar temple near LoC, Lam, Gurudwara Chhati Padshahi, Balidan Bhavan, Rama Temple, Thannamandi, Kotranka, Dhanidhar Fort, Manma Mata, Shah Lakh Ziarat and so on. Approximately, 2-3 lakh tourist visits this area every year. Shahdara Sharief and Tatta Pani alone cater to more than 80% tourists from outside J&K.
To cater to the tourists visiting Rajouri, various types of infrastructural developments have been done. Accommodations, both government and private, have been raised in areas such as Rajouri town, Shahdara Sharief, Tatta Pani, Budhkanari, and Dehra Ki Gali. For further development, the draft Master Plan for RDA has been proposed for a total area of 142.47 sq Km, which includes Rajouri Municipality and the surroundings.
Major achievements of RDA until now are TRC Shahdara Sharief, TRC Budhkanari, TRC Kotranka, Makote Park, Gura Top Park, Base Camp at Kandi and Darhal, Cafeteria at Budhkanari, Tourist House and other facilities at Tatta Pani, Cafeteria and other facilities at Lamberi, Cafeteria and other facilities at Danti Qila.
- How do you plan to attract tourists to this destination post COVID19?
Due to COVID19 outbreak in the year 2020, almost all the activities came to a grinding halt. It had an adverse impact upon the district’s tourist footfall too, more specifically to the major tourist destinations like Tatta Pani, and Shahdara Sharief. After the decline of second wave of COVID19 and as per the instructions issued by the Government from time to time, phased re-opening of tourist destinations with adherence to appropriate COVID behavior is being done, as a result of which, these destinations are witnessing a gradual increase of tourist inflow.
Adding to this, RDA has proposed a slew of activities encompassing trekking to various destinations like Shakermarg, Smat Sar, Kesari hill, Nanga Thub, Seven Lakes, Cycle Rally, Bike Rallies and other short term interventions to attract more and more tourists to Rajouri.
- What are the upcoming infrastructural developments in Rajouri?
Some of the projects in the pipeline are construction of TRC, view points, public convenience at Budhkhanari, which is the gateway to the famous seven lakes, construction of hut, cafeteria in Dehra Ki Gali area, upgradation of Makote area, development of infrastructure facilities at Manma Mata, construction of public convenience at Chingus, way-side Amenities, illumination of various Forts, installation of Benches, construction of paths and much more.
Moreover, two projects, namely Choti Ganga Ghat and Shiv Shakti Dham at Sunderbani have got in principal approval from Government of India and the funds for the same shall be released shortly.
- An alternate approach to tourism, Eco-Tourism, is being hailed as a Comprehensive policy. How is RDA going about it?
Most of the tourist destinations in Rajouri fall within the vicinity of forest area, having the potential to be promoted as eco-tourism sites. For instance, a trekking path from Dalhori to Danti Qila Top, through the forest area, is being developed by RDA under PMDP Scheme.
Then, at Dehra Ki Gali, which enthralls tourists with bountiful nature, the Forest Department has constructed a number of huts which are being offered to the tourists on fixed nominal rates. Here, RDA in collaboration with the Forest department is planning to develop home-stay facilities.
- What tourism activities are we looking forward this year in Rajouri?
Directorate of Tourism Jammu and RDA have identified 10 villages of the district and submitted the detailed report to the Office of Divisional Commissioner Jammu through District Administration Rajouri for the promotion of tourism.
Further, various assets created by RDA are being upgraded for comfortable stay of tourists, various parks are being developed/upgraded, trekking, cycling, hiking and other such activities are being organized or planned, not to forget the famous trek to Seven Lakes in Pir Panjal Range for which necessary funds have already been released by the Directorate of Tourism Jammu.
Also: Read my article at The News Now
Infrastructure augmented to cater to tourists: CEO RDA
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