This has reference to the article’Tourism Potential of J&K’s Sub-Tropical Rim’ (DE,March 8 2020).The writer,himself having worked as Director Tourism, Jammu and well conversant with the tourist potential of Jammu region, has given a vivid and beautiful picture of the sub-tropical belt running along the southern rim of the UT of J&K and highlighted the cultural and architectural heritage ofmany places located in the narrow rim.There is no doubt that Jammu region is endowed with unparalleled natural beauty and it has a rich cultural heritage to boast of.Moreover our ancestors,especially the Dogra rulers and the artists of the days gone by have bequeathed to us rich cultural heritage in the form of monuments such as forts and temples,paintings etc which have great archeological and cultural significance.Therefore places having pristine beauty and those having cultural heritage sites can attract a huge footfall of tourists if sincere efforts are taken and necessary facilities are provided at such places.Basohli is one such town which is famous for Basohli Paintings.The writer has beautifully described the Basohli School of Miniature dating back to the 17th and18th centuries and first brought into prominence by The Archaelogical Survey of India in 1921. Similarly, the writer has dwelt at length the tourist,cultural and archaelogical importance of Mubarak Mandi Complex,Akhnoor Buddhist Terracotta Heads,the Manda Fort etc.which are internationally famous heritage sies.All these places have huge tourist potential and what is needed is the focus on their preservation and development as tourist spots.For this purpose,it is imperative that Heritage Day is celebrated at these places every year and local schools be asked to bring the students at these monuments so that they develop love for our precious cultural heritage.These places and others must be included in the ‘Incredible India’ brochure by the Union Ministry of Tourism to boost tourism and thus, local economy.
Ashok Sharma
Udhampur.
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