For too long a period, Jammu region remained almost neglected or less cared for in developing tourist destinations despite the fact that there are numerous picturesque and scenic spots over the hills that dot the region. Actually, the Tourism Department has been too sluggish. Jammu region elected representatives in the Legislative Assembly, too, have not shown extraordinary interest in developing tourist spots. This scenario is gradually undergoing change. In the first place people of the region are keen that available tourist destinations should be developed. Secondly, the spending capacity has increased with improved economy of the people in general and the people in the region would feel happy if local tourist spots were developed. It is true that Patnitop Development Authority was created to develop it as a tourist spot and some work in this direction has been done though there still remains good capacity for improvement and upgrading of the infrastructure. The programe of the PDA has not reached the culmination point as yet.
For quite some time, Tourism Department had been conducted preliminary study of possible development of Mantalai and Sudhmahadev as tourist destinations. Consequently, after receiving the report of the study, the matter was recently taken up at the level of the Union Tourism Secretary to give final shape to the programmes under consideration. The reports say that a mega project of development of three tourist destinations namely Mantalai, Sudhmahadev and Patnitop circuit has been approved along with budget. Besides, the Union Tourism Ministry has decided to create International Yoga Centre at Mantalai for which a sum of rupees 83.73 crore has been earmarked out of a total allocation of 99 crore rupees. The funds have been sanctioned under development package of Prime Minister’s Plan under which Rs 500 crore were granted to J&K State for this year for integrated development of tourism in the State. Final nod for the allotment of funds was given by the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) meeting in Union Capital recently that met under the chairmanship of Union Tourism Secretary.
This is happy news for the State. For a long time, these projects were loudly talked about but nothing was concretely done to float them in practice. We are told that the breakup of the allocated amount for the project has been meticulously dealt with and all aspects of development whether of the tourist centre or the International Yoga Centre have been taken in to account. Cortically examined, the entire plan seems to be a very modern and imaginative one with remarkable perception. If the work is completed within the time frame, this will emerge as a conspicuous tourist destination for international tourists. As we all know, Yoga is gaining great popularity with the world community and almost all developed and developing countries are paying attention to it. It is in fitness of things that India should have the world’s most elaborate and comprehensive Yoga Centre which will not be only for yoga but also as a centre for promotion and exposition of traditional Indian ayurveda or the science of life. It is highly satisfying to know that the planners have a vision that takes into account the great influx of yoga learners in years to come. These centres become part of the great history of our country.
Lastly, the development of trilateral tourist circuit and establishment of International Yoga Centre at Mantalai will immensely change the life and economy of this region. It will have wide and black topped roads, parks, parking lots, restaurants, first aid facility, convention halls, walkways, fully electrified paths and pathways, children’s parks and playgrounds, living accommodation and numerous other facilities. District Udhampur in which these resorts are situated will find its economy grow fast.
While we are happy about these tourism projects in Jammu, we regret that because of unrest and disruption of law and order situation in Kashmir valley, owing to senseless calls given by the enemies of the people and seditious leadership, explicitly on the behest of external villains, Kashmir tourism has suffered projects worth nearly Rs 400 crore sanctioned under Prime Minister’s Development Programme (PMDP) for augmenting infrastructure in tourism sector. These are in limbo because of the prevailing unrest in Kashmir valley. Apart from this, the vital sector of tourism has suffered loss of around Rs 3000 crore thereby leaving disastrous impact on the local economy. Thousands of Kashmiri households, labourers, daily wagers, petty shopkeepers, transporters and others whose means of subsistence depend on tourist activities can understand what it mean to them and not those traitors who are living in their palatial bungalows and issue calls from their lavishly decorated drawing rooms for strikes and stone pelting.
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