CS reviews tourism development
activities in Suchetgarh, Gharana; asks to enhance amenities for visitors
JAMMU, JANUARY 17:
Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today convened a meeting to review the activities
being undertaken to develop the Gharana Wetland and Suchetgarh as popular
tourist destinations in Jammu division.
Present in the
meeting were Principal Secretary, Culture, Commissioner Secretary, Forest,
Commissioner Secretary, Tourism, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Chief Wildlife
Warden, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, DG, Budget and representatives of BSF/Army
besides other concerned officers.
In oder to increase
visitors footfall to the border tourism destination of Suchetghar, the Chief
Secretary directed for further augmenting the amenities available there for the
tourists. He asked for formulation of a DPR regarding construction of well
established, all-weather pavilion with adequate capacity to host the tourists
coming there. He suggested the BSF personnel, guarding this border, to
establish a war museum here where people could get to know about the heroic
stories of our jawans during the 1965 and 1971 wars besides other local stories
of popular valour. He asked them to study and replicate the museums created by
Army at the places of Gulmarg and Akhnoor. He also advised them to put on
display different pieces of art, craft and digital photos depicting history of
this place.
Commissioner
Secretary, Tourism, Yasha Mudgal, informed the meeting about the tourism
promotion campaigns being organised by the department in the past.
It was revealed
that around Rs 151 lakh have been spent on development of Suchetgarh corridor,
commencement of retreat parade at Heritage BOP Octroi Post by way of
constructing saluting base, pathways, additional gender based toilets, security
post and furniture. It was added that construction of entry gate, parking,
beautification and allied works are going on at an estimated cost of Rs 80 lakh
and currently 55% completion has been achieved under the new project.
Regarding
development of Gharana as an eco-tourism stop, the Chief Secretary was briefed
by the Chief Wildlife Warden, Sarvesh Rai, that number of facilities had been
raised by the Department to attract the tourists and bird lovers.
It was given out
that the tourist footfall to the place has greatly improved with more than
27000 visitors thronging the spot last year. Besides, the water surface area
and number of birds has also increased after the wetland was curated on
scientific lines by the department.
It was added that a
two storey eco-stop and a watch tower is being constructed here to provide
different amenities to the tourists under one roof. Besides, waste treatment
system for solid, liquid and sewage has also been created to keep the
environment of the water body clean and free from any pollution.