JK govt seeks detailed report on development of border tourism in Jammu

Jammu and Kashmir administration has directed officials to prepare a detailed project report for development of tourism along International Border (IB) in Jammu district, officials said. Advisor to Lieutenant Goverr Maj Sinha, Baseer Ahmad Khan, has lined up a series of activities for tourism department with a view to promote border tourism along IB, y said.  Khan has directed officers to identify certain locations along IB that could be covered under ambit of border tourism.

He has directed tourism department to gear up efforts for development of border tourism, officials said.  Khan directed m to prepare a detailed project report after taking inputs from all stakeholders for development of tourist spots in Suchetgarh, Baba Chamliyal and or areas in a time-bound manner. Khan said report shall encompass all facilities which would attract tourists. He said Jammu region has tremendous border tourism potential as numerous scenic spots dot landscape.

"We need to tap potential that has remained untapped so far and enhance our facilities for tourists at Suchetgarh and or places," Advisor to LG said.

He issued se directions while chairing a meeting held with officers from tourism department and Border Security Force (BSF) for identification and development of certain locations for promotion of border tourism in Suchetgarh, Samba and or places. Khan said Suchetgarh, which is a border meeting post, should come up as a wonderful attraction for tourists. or places of historical and cultural importance including Baba Chamliyal and Gharana Wetland would be included in tour circuits for promoting tourism in Union Territory with twin aim of boosting ecomy of border dwellers besides increasing footfall of tourists, he added.

He said that Gharana wetland in R S Pura will be developed for bird watching, as a lot of migratory birds visit re especially during winters, after obtaining permission from wildlife department.  Ar point of major attraction for border tourism will be creating selfie points at zero line that will be identified by BSF and developed by tourism department, he said. Khan said inputs received from BSF should be incorporated in report.

IG BSF, N S Jamwal, while speaking at meeting, said Suchetgarh has vast potential to be developed as a vital tourist destination, adding that Baba Chamliyal in Samba along IB holds a lot of potential for promoting religious tourism, officials said.