Emphasis is shifting from spots of scenic beauty to pilgrim tourism in the State. The reasons are obvious. Spots of scenic beauty are getting polluted and disfigured fast, thanks to pervading no-tourist culture of the local people and unpardonable apathy of the Government or its lack of innovative aptitude for renewing and upgrading our tourist spots. Pahalgam, once a most favoured tourist spot, is an example. Its pollution and overcrowded environs disqualify it as a true tourist spot. And about Dal, Nagin, Anchar or Wular lakes, the less said the better.
Contrary to it, in recent years pilgrim tourism has become very popular owing primarily to the excellent and innovative arrangements provided by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. The number of pilgrim tourists visiting the shrine during the past year exceeded one crore. The example of management of this shrine has been realized by the Government and especially the Tourist Ministry in its proper perspective. This is reflected in the statement of the Minister for Tourism given in the Upper House. He said that an amount of Rs. 6 crore is earmarked annually for creation of infrastructure facilities in the vicinity of potential pilgrim spots and various festivals/melas are being held to promote pilgrim tourism in the State especially in the Jammu region. It is heartening that Poonch and Rajouri have also come under the umbrella of pilgrim tourism and the spots have been identified. It should also apply to Bhaderwah and Kishtwar and Ladakh. It will be noted that pilgrim tourism has been part of Indian civilization from ancient times. In Kashmir, the ancient Hindus had identified various places like Amarnath, Sharada, Gangbal, Sangam and other places as tirthas to which the pilgrims flocked on specific dates of the year. The present government has done well to carry forward the tradition and expand its reach especially in Jammu region. This is bound to boost the economy of the region.
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