Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, SEPT 27:
The Directorate of Tourism, Jammu today celebrated the 41st World Tourism Day, 2020 across Jammu Division at destinations like Suchetgarh Border, Katra, Bhimgarh Fort, Reasi, Mansar, Patnitop, Kishtwar, Basholi and Poonch with active participation of the Stakeholders like Tour and Travel Organizations, Hotel Associations, Taxi Union etc beyond officials of the Tourism Department and the Tourism Development Authorities.
The main function was organized at Suchetgarh Border in collaboration with the senior officers of the 36 Battalion of BSF, where R.K. Katoch, Director Tourism, was the Chief Guest. Representatives of different organizations/Stakeholders deliberated upon various issues being faced by the tourism sector in view of the prevailing COVID pandemic. The Stakeholders while reiterating their demand for sector wise compensation/relaxations however, strongly extended their commitment towards the cause of the tourism development in Jammu Division of J&K UT. Dy. Director Tourism, Publicity, Jammu gave a detailed over-view of the tourism sector and necessary interventions which need to be put in place for better revival of the tourism sector in Jammu Division. Director Tourism, Jammu explained the importance of the tourism sector, its revival in view of the ongoing pandemic and the need to widen its horizon to the rural areas for focusing on the preservation of socio-cultural heritage and preservation of values and traditions. He further added that the definition of tourism is not restricted to leisure trips only, but has got diversified by including Rural Societies/people for exchanging the values and traditions which could help in development of Rural tourism. Earlier, the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Sanjeev Verma and Director Tourism Jammu, R.K.Katoch flagged-off the “Garud Seva Open roof Tourist Luxury Bus” with the slogan to “Chalo Suchetgarh Border” on this occasion. This new initiative of running such luxury bus from TRC, Jammu to Suchetgarh Border is part of the Border Tourism initiative taken by Jammu Paryatan headed by Baldev Khullar and Gian Sharma. This 27-seater luxury bus is a sight-seeing bus and first of its kind in Jammu Division. The bus shall run on daily basis from Jammu at around 10.30 a.m towards Suchetgarh Border for sightseeing. Other destinations covered enroute are Gharana Wetland where migratory birds from various parts of the World visit. While concluding the event, the Director Tourism, Jammu thanked the BSF authorities for their valuable coordination.
AT KATRA, the function started with enthusiasm by flagging off Bike Rally by CO, CRPF Jatinder Gupta, President Municipal Committee, Katra Vimal Indu, Joint Director Tourism, Jammu Neelam Khajuria and ASP, Katra Amit Bhasin which concluded at Bhimgarh Fort, Reasi. A total of 50 bikers participated in the said event.
A Tourism Department bus was also fagged off for the tourists which carried different bloggers and tourism enthusiasts from Jammu District and Reasi. A beautiful Khud dance and Getru performance was also presented by local dogri artists at Bhimgarh Fort which was illuminated for the occasion. A small 3D animated movie was also showcased to the audience on the history and importance of Bhimgarh Fort and General Zorawar Singh. Officials of Tourism Department besides representatives from Hotel and Restaurant Association, travel and Tour Operator Association, J&K Wrestling Association, Press Club members, General Zorawar Singh Memorial Trust. Members prominent among those were Rakesh Wazir, Sham Lal Kesar, Ashwini Kumar Sharma, Rajesh Sharma, Virender Kesar, Sardari Lal Dubey, Shiv Kumar Sharma, Rakesh Sharma, Ms. Diksha Kaluria among others participated. The function was culminated with a Pledge of Bharat Darshan.
AT PATNITOP, a seminar was organized jointly by the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu and the Patnitop Development Authority and Patnitop Hotels Association which was attended by Manager, JKTDC, C.B.Kaul and concerned Stakeholders. On the occasion, the Chief guest was Executive engineer, PDA, K.K.Gupta and Assistant Director Tourism, National Highway, Dr. Umesh Shan. They enlightened the Stakeholders about the importance and history of the world Tourism Day besides J&K Registration of Tourism Trade Act of hotels and the offence of touting. The Community Health Worker also educated the members about the Dos and Don’ts during the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. On the occasion, all the members downloaded “Dekho Apna Desh Pledge” from the pledge.mygo.in. Lastly, Taxi Shikar walas were given away registration certificates and some prominent local hoteliers, Tour and Travel Agents, were felicitated with appreciation certificates.
AT BASHOLI, the World Tourism Day was celebrated by the CEO, Lakhanpur-Sarthal Development Authority D.C.Bhatti with Block Medical Officer, Basholi. The CEO, LSDA presented a lecture on the importance of tourism to the Stakeholders while the BMO, Basholi highlighted the importance of prevention measure to be taken during the COVID pandemic. On this occasion, 200 wall clocks, caps and shirts were also distributed to the participants for mass awareness of tourism.
AT POONCH, World Tourism Day was also held at Jallian Loran with great enthusiasm people appreciated the initiative taken by the Tourism Department. The event was presided by Chief Executive Officer, Poonch Development Authority Dr. Tanvir Ahmed Khan besides BDC Chairman, Block Mandi Shamim Ganai as Guest of Honour. During the programme various Centrally-UT sponsored schemes of the Government were highlighted. Department also distributed calendar, information material, sceneries and masks to the general public.
AT MANSAR, the Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority celebrated World Tourism Day in coordination with Directorate of Tourism, Jammu on 27th of September, 2020 wherein the CEO, Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority highlighted the achievements of the Authority. The main high lights of events were to make aware the participants and stake holders regarding COVID-19 guidelines to be followed while performing various tourist activities. During the event, the participants /stake holders were also made aware about salient features of Tourist Trade Act, 1978.The stakeholders were also guided regarding the importance of Registration of all the stakeholders and related activities with the Tourism Department. The members of Panchayat Mansar and Bari Garh/stake holders thanked Dr Jatinder Singh MOS (Independent charge) Ministry of Development of Northern Region and Minister of State for PMO Office for initiating the DPRs of the “Comprehensive Mansar Development Plan” at an estimated cost of Rs.198.00 crores which was prepared by the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu.
AT KISHTWAR the occasion was celebrated with theme “Tourism and Rural Development” with fane and fare by the Kishtwar Development Authority (KDA). Tree plantation drive was also organised in TRC Kishtwar under “Green J&K Drive” in coordination with the Forest Department. Mohd. Hanief Malik (KAS), ADDC Kishtwar was the chief guest of the event who started the event by planting the Deodar saplings. The plantation drive was also attended by prominent citizens, PRI members and staff members of KDA and forest Department. Many school students attended the event and delivered speeches on World Tourism Day. The students were also felicitated and appreciated by all these guests at the event.
