We know that Mansar Lake and associated areas, its forest cover , flora and fauna situated at a distance of 62 kms from Jammu could be a major tourist destination including attracting more of religious tourism. With a small push all these years intermittently, if not a full fledged revamp towards developing this famous lake, could have made it more attractive with an increased tourist footfall. However, better late than never, UT Government of Jammu and Kashmir has decided to promote this famous lake as a major tourist destination under a Comprehensive Master Rejuvenation and Development Plan. Besides promoting conventional and religious tourism, the Rejuvenation Plan was aimed at bringing about increased and varied economic development of the area and offering an added advantage of connectivity. Potentials and opportunities domestically needed to be assessed especially in the Tourism sector as tourism is gaining more importance even globally as an engine of economic growth. Not only domestically , but tourism is recognised as one of the most global economic and social forces. Apart from the involvement of the Government and its agencies, involvement of the private sector by participating in investment areas, a PPP mode could result in a better socio- economic development of the particular area and its surroundings. We in Jammu region, do not have any dearth of such destinations but we have yet to professionally, commercially and optimally explore, develop and publicise such identified destinations. With a start with the Mansar Lake, we hope such initiatives shall, in the near future be in back to back form.
Union MoS Dr. Jitendra Singh recently chaired a meeting wherein the draft comprehensive development plan for Mansar was discussed. He, besides dwelling upon other aspects of the plan, duly spelt out the importance of this lake from all points. This could help in lending credibility and the required importance to the draft plan to move with speed in implementation. That, all the concerned departments and agencies needed to be roped in on a priority basis so that the lake could be developed, was duly underlined by the Union Minister . A proper follow up and monitoring was required so as to not have the initial tempo and zeal slowed down, if not fizzled out. Jammu holds a peculiar special position in the entire country in terms of religious tourism and since many ancient and most revered temples are in Mansar, it was going to get a fillip in its potential by the rejuvenating plan. Infrastructural gaps needed to be identified and basic requirements ideally desired at a tourist spot like Mansar provided like tourist facilities, view points, floating jetties, lodging facilities, up-gradation of roads, solar street lights, developing existing pathways around the lake and with the start of the project at an early date, within a year or so, things would emerge totally different.
In addition to all these additions and renovations, a Birds Gallery and Birds Watchers lodges, as specially proposed in the plan, could definitely add lustre to the refurbishing process. The lake and its surroundings are providing enough opportunities for it in becoming a health resort too in its own right. That could in itself merit this place acquire a special place besides for local excursions and more tourists’ visits. Eco-tourism, water sports activities, musical water fountains, water cascade works and other recreational and entertainment activities associated with the project could bring laurels to the initiatives proposed under the rejuvenation project. Encouraging trend is that there is a steady increase in the annual tourist footfall touching over 5 lakh which was expected to increase four times as much after the completion of the project of rejuvenation.
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