Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 13: Former minister and senior Congress leader Raman Bhalla has said that Government must take effective steps to give boost to the religious tourism in the State.
Addressing public meetings at Narwal Pain and Satwari, under Gandhi Nagar constituency here today, the former minister said that J&K has got rich cultural and religious potential to attract the pilgrimage tourists. The State has a rich cultural heritage that is reflected in the lifestyles of the native people in various districts as well. The J&K has number of ancient Hindu, Muslim, Sufi and Buddhist temples, shrines and monasteries. Jammu region has bountiful places of Gods and Deities confined to hilly and mountainous region. Apart from this, Jammu region has a vast variety of tourist attraction, Mr Bhalla said.
The Congress leader further said that Govt must work in “mission mode” to attract tourists especially to Jammu region which has potential equivalent to that of Kashmir but has remained untapped. The State Government must work towards promoting Jammu as an independent tourist destination and plans to bring the region’s Dogra heritage into focus.
Referring to several recreational and historical places in Jammu region which have not been showcased so far, Mr Bhalla said places like Ranjit Sagar Dam near Basohli, Lakhanpur, Sarthal in Kathua; Aknoor and Reasi ancient structures, Sanasar and Baghliar Dam, Patnitop, Surinsar and Mansar lakes in Udhampur and Samba/ Ramban, Sinthan Top, Warwan in Kishtwar, Shahdara Sharief in Rajouri, Budha Amarnath and the seven lakes in Poonch have to be sold in a big way to promote Jammu as a destination with recreational abundance.
He said J&K State should take cue from the other states where tourists visit in large number. He demanded a comprehensive package from government which would meet infrastructural, economic and other developmental needs.
He appealed the tour operators and hoteliers to promote J&K as a single unit and work under one banner and not to form too many associations. He demanded a comprehensive package from Government which would meet infrastructural, economic and other developmental needs.
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