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| Half hearted moves on Jammu tourism promotion | | | | There have been some highly encouraging developments with regard to promotion of tourism in Jammu region and particularly in the winter capital of the state and around it. The throwing open of underground aquarium, on the foot of historic Bahu fort and in one corner of the only worth mentioning picnic spot in Jammu, the Bagh-e-Bahu, is by far a highly positive development to make Jammu city attractive for the tourists, either those coming here for Vaishno Devi pilgrimage or to attract the tourists to come and visit Jammu to go around a spacious aquarium, having collection of rarest varieties of fish and other water species. After Bagh-e-Bahu, the dream project of G M Shah, who as Housing and Urban Development Minister in Sheikh Abdullah's government conceived and got Bagh-e-Bahu project executed in early eighties, the development of underground aquarium, conceived and made reality by the imaginative and hard efforts of Nazir Ahmad Jan, a long time director fisheries department in J&K government, is a prestigious achievement. The aquarium, which was thrown open to the public by the then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, last year was definitely a big step forward making Jammu as independent tourist destination, provided it was well publicized through various means all over the country, particularly in the neighbouring states. Nearby the spot, just below the Bagh-e-Bahu the construction of spacious temple on the bank of river Tawi, named Har ki Pouri, by some religious devotees, is another attractive spot before for the pilgrims as well as the tourists. Still another healthy development is the reported decision by the government to set up a spacious amusement park on about 400 kannals of land along river Tawi at Sidhra. Together these projects can make Jammu city as worth visiting by the people from outside the state. Similarly the announcement by the then Chief Minister to develop tourism infrastructure in Bhaderwah, known as chhota Kashmir, with starting of air sorties from Katra to Bhaderwah and developing Kailash Yatra and picturesque spot of jai is quite encouraging. But on the negative side is the report that the proposal for upgrading of Manda Zoo or Wildlife Sanctuary is facing a rough weather at the hands of Central Zoo Authority of India. The proposal forwarded by the State government to turn Manda mini zoo into a larger one and extended it upto Nandani is reported to have not met a favouable response from the Central Zoo Authority of India, which is a statutory body under the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest, which gives recognition to the zoos in the country. Only recently a hope was given that the Manda Wildlife will be converted into a National wildlife park by extending the overall area on a 64 hectare it includes increasing the number of wild animals and birds in the zoo. The department plans to bring in tigers, elephants and other large wild animals from other parts of the country, besides putting on display some of the state's exotic animal species as leopards, musk deer and black bear etc. This can be definitely a source of attraction for the tourists to visit Jammu and stay put here. But the delay being caused in its execution, as a result of the negative response from the Zoo Authority of India is a matter of great concern. Amar Mahal Museum, housed in the premises of palaces of former Dogra rulers is yet another attractive spot for the tourists. But again on the negative side is the inordinate delay in giving practical shape to the project of Mubarak Mandi heritage complex, laying of rope way between Mubarak Mandi and Bagh-e-Bahu and from there to Mohmaya hill top. The dream project of former State Governor Jagmohan, the City Forest around Mahamaya is in shambles and in a state of neglect. It is hoped that the government will takes speedy actions and expedite the execution of these projects to make Jammu an independent tourist destination. |
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