To give practical shape to accelerating the process of developmental activities and reviving held up and even shelved projects , conservation of water bodies and lakes in the UT having their own unique importance, the much awaited rejuvenation of the famous Mansar Lake in Jammu is now set to see the light of the day as laying of its formal e- foundation took place on November 1jointly by Dr.Jitendra Singh Union Minister in PMO and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. Mansar lake, situated at 62 kms from Jammu besides being a prominent tourist spotfringed by forest covered hills, holds religious importance too for the people due to there being many historic temples in the area. The Rejuvenation Project of the Lake is a comprehensive plan for holistic development and up-gradation of the lake and the surrounding areas with emphasis on not only preserving the sacred lake but looking after and conserving its ecology and heritage as well.
Once the lake and its surrounding premises get developed under the said rejuvenation plan as a multi-purpose destination , it would attract an increased footfall of visitors under normal tourism plus devotees in the form of religious tourism , an attraction for water sports which has a wider scope in addition to pursuits of health wellness and a picnic rendezvous for holidays and weekend celebrators. The Lake has great promise for bird lovers and the rejuvenation plan has the provision of developing a birds gallery and birds watchers lodge as well.The Lake has a potential of becoming a heritage spot too by renovating, re-developing and preserving the ”Haveli ” located near the lake. Preserving and showcasing rich Dogra culture and heritage must go side by side while conceiving,planning and implementing the projects like the one under reference.
It is a stark fact that most of the projects sponsored and started at the UT level, very often, get delayed or plunge into uncertain fate due to erratic and uncertain funds support position. However, the instant project is Centrally funded and expected to cost nearly Rs.200 crore and, therefore, doubly assured of its timely completion . It is to be noted that this was going to be the second major river lake rejuvenation project in Jammu region after Devika river, equally important from the religious angle, which was conceptualised and is being implemented on the model of prestigious Namami Ganga Project. The need is not only to rid our water bodies, lakes, rivers etc of rampant and wanton pollution and preserving and sustaining their pristine glory and neatness but see how they could be developed commercially without compromising with the eco-system as tourist destination for attraction of which, ancillary facilities and things of interest were paramount to be provided . In the case of Mansar Project, that vital aspect was going to be taken care of like revamping jetties and walkways, erecting musical fountains, hot balloons,making amusement parks, providing avian gallery, restoration of historical Haveli, sculptors and murals- highlighting glorious Dogra art in addition to refreshment corners, solar street lights etc.
It can safely be believed that apart from such natural boons getting a facelift and conserving and beautifying measures for developing them as model tourist hubs, these projects were going to create a chain of employment opportunities for the local population as well as all those related to tourism activities from the ”originating” points to the one under reference.
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