UT Jammu and Kashmir has a great tourism potential. Everyone around the globe knows about Kashmir because of the region’s majestic, pristine and splendid natural beauty. And since down the ages it was just Kashmir and Kashmir (naturally because the gifts of nature were immense there), then added on were the gardens, animal habitats, developing the wetlands, the winter sports, water sports and so forth. Jammu has a double header, it has the natural beauty in mountainous areas of Rajouri, Poonch, Bhaderwah, Doda and Kishtwar, a sumptuous embarrassment of riches in plains as far as religious tourism goes and of course the Suryaputri (Tawi in local parlance). No doubt that the best plans have been laid for developing tourism in Jammu but what is lacking is the speed of completing the same.
As far as religious tourism goes, development is a continuous process. Almost all the well known religious places have new things to show and give to the pilgrims/ visitors. But if other avenues too are placed on the same grid, three things will definitely happen, one revenue generation, second more employment eventualities will open and three Jammu too would be on the tourist map of the globe.
What people visiting a particular place want is something fresh and new that they can see which they never saw before! Now for example, the Tawi project that includes the artificial lake that is going to be a huge attraction for the travelers. Obviously many props would come in later but the process has begun! Then there are many wildlife sanctuaries in many places. The names of the places I have mentioned above! Manda and Nadini wildlife parks are being developed no doubt but if the same could happen with an increased velocity then things will definitely move in the right direction. People love to see animals.
Today this is what the family on travel discusses before moving out of their homes, travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world Jammu happens to be one of them. Another one is in Arnia where birds land up from all over the globe. Bang on the border but still a place where the tourism potential is huge. Hokersar in Kashmir is the favorite haunt of migratory birds but so is Arnia. This could become a loveable place for the ornithologists.
Tourist destinations like Patnitop, Sannasar, Surinsar, Sudh Mahadev, Mantalai are well known. But there are a plethora of more that can be explored because they have the potential to attract the tourists! No one can ever think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a place where you are ignorant of almost everything! Jammu has a huge castle full of tourism gems. They just have to be reconnoitered.
What people visiting a particular place want is something fresh and new that they can see which they never saw before! Now for example, the Tawi project that includes the artificial lake that is going to be a huge attraction for the travelers. Obviously many props would come in later but the process has begun! Then there are many wildlife sanctuaries in many places. The names of the places I have mentioned above! Manda and Nadini wildlife parks are being developed no doubt but if the same could happen with an increased velocity then things will definitely move in the right direction. People love to see animals.
Today this is what the family on travel discusses before moving out of their homes, travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world Jammu happens to be one of them. Another one is in Arnia where birds land up from all over the globe. Bang on the border but still a place where the tourism potential is huge. Hokersar in Kashmir is the favorite haunt of migratory birds but so is Arnia. This could become a loveable place for the ornithologists.
Tourist destinations like Patnitop, Sannasar, Surinsar, Sudh Mahadev, Mantalai are well known. But there are a plethora of more that can be explored because they have the potential to attract the tourists! No one can ever think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a place where you are ignorant of almost everything! Jammu has a huge castle full of tourism gems. They just have to be reconnoitered.
– The writer is Bureau Chief Jammu of news agency Global News Service (GNS) and Daily Kashmir Glory. He can be reached at msnazki123@gmail.com
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