Neeraj Rohmetra
JAMMU, Sept 24: Notwithstanding the commitment by Union Tourism Ministry for promoting Religious Tourism in the State, it has failed to give clearance to the proposals for promoting spiritual circuits in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions even as the Detailed Project Report (DPR ) for the same had been submitted about a year ago.
Reliable sources told EXCELSIOR that though the proposal was being vigorously pursued by the State Government and had been taken at different levels, but their efforts had so far failed to yield any result.
“Former Union Tourism Minister, Subodh Kant Sahay had supported the idea of promoting religious tourism in three regions of the State and urged the State Government to submit a detailed proposal”, sources said adding, “subsequently, the then Tourism Minister in July, 2012 had submitted detailed project report with the proposed plans to the Centre”.
“The project worth Rs 150 crores was aimed to develop tourism circuits in three regions – Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. While Rs 50 crore of the stipulated cost was to be utilized to promote Buddhist-related tourism in Ladakh, Rs 100 crore were to be used to boost Sufi tourism in Kashmir and to restore various pilgrimage centers in Jammu”, sources added.
Sources further elaborated, “the projects had also been discussed with several incumbents of the Tourism Ministry and even members of the Planning Commission. However, the latter hasn’t so far decided, whether these proposals were to be funded as the Mega Tourism Projects or as part of the funding provided by 13-14th Finance Commission”, adding, “on ground officials of Tourism Department had done a detailed exercise in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh region for the same. In Jammu, it was also proposed to include some historic places like Budha Amarnath ji, Parmandal, Utterbehni and spots along the sacred Devika river in Udhampur as per the revised proposal”.
Tourism Minister, G A Mir when contacted said, “for promotion of religious Tourism, three mega projects have been conceived for implementation and DPR’s stand submitted to the Government of India. The project envisaged a Sufi circuit for Kashmir, spiritual circuit for Jammu and Buddhist Circuit for Ladakh region”, adding, “we are trying to convince the Centre to release some funds for the project as tourism is the mainstay for economy of this border State”.
“We will also seek help from the office of Union Health Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Chief Minister and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr Farooq Abdullah along with Ambika Soni, AICC general secretary for early clearance of the prestigious projects”, said Mr Mir adding, “for discussing the tourism related issued with Centre, we have also sought special session with the Union Tourism Ministry and their officials on September 26th in New Delhi as all of them will be present for celebration of World Tourism Day on next day”.
Sources stated that at present the State has hired the services of a Consultancy Agency in consultation with Union Tourism Ministry for improving tourism infrastructure in the State. “The Consultant agency has identified four circuits along with sub-projects in each circuit for funding during the 12th Financial Year Plan and the Agency is in the process of preparation of DPRs for these projects”, sources added.
“The State Government has also initiated a process to prepare a Draft Vision Document for Tourism,
which is aimed to facilitate sustainable growth of the sector”, sources added.
Sources stated that on occasion of World Tourism Day on September 27, the Union Tourism Ministry would also unveil a new program titled — “777 days Incredible India Himalaya Campaign” and a function in this regard is being held at Kautilya Hall, Samrat Hall New Delhi, which is likely to be attended by Tourism Ministers of all States.
According to the schedule issued by Union Tourism Ministry, the inaugural function with all Himalayan State Tourism Ministers will start at around 10 am and conclude at around 4.15 pm. The function involved interactive session that will focus on Branding, Marketing and Promotional Strategies for the “Incredible Indian Himalaya” campaign.
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