Last Updated on November 1, 2021 at 6:03 pm
In another major step for promoting rural tourism and showcasing the historical and cultural values, over 30 picturesque areas in five districts of Jammu have been decided for making into tourist villages.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha launched J&K Tourist Village Network under Mission Youth with the purpose to convert villages of the Union Territory known for historical, picturesque beauty and cultural significance into Tourist Villages.
He said that youth-led sustainable tourism initiative will help to improve the rural economy and rising direct and indirect employment opportunities.
As per reports, 32 areas for transformation as Tourist Villages have been submitted to the concerned authorities by the Deputy Commissioners of five districts of Jammu region. But, deputy commissioners of remaining five districts which are Kathua, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Reasi and Raman have failed to identify even a single area for the purpose.
As far as Jammu district is concerned, Daskal Ambrain, Gharana, Jhajjar Kotli, Mathuar and Surinsar have been identified for development as Tourist Village while as in Doda district such areas are Batote, Dhara, Khellani, Lanchar, Mounda, Noorihanga and Thanala.
Similarly, Arai, Behramgala, Dogrian, Loran, Mendhar, Nangali, Rajpura, Sakhimaidan/Chajjla and Sallonia/Sawjian in Poonch district have been identified for development as Tourist Villages while as such areas in Samba are Chamliyal, Ghagwal, Mahoregarh, Nud, Purmandal and Utterbehni. In Udhampur, such areas are Basantgarh, Chulna, Dudu, Lehar and Inch, Mantalai and Pachound.
Aim of the programme is to develop new tourism destinations to the world standard; integrate social, cultural and spiritual characteristics with economic contours; provide all infrastructure facilities required by the tourists within such selected village; develop all selected villages in an integrated holistic manner; converge resources and expertise through coordinated action with all stakeholders and to introduce new concept of rural development based on integrated area development approach.
