Excelsior Correspondent
Udhampur, Feb 17: District Administration, Udham-pur today launched the Panchayat Tourism Project under which foundation stone was laid for development of Tikri Waterfalls as part of 5 destinations to be developed to attract tourists and boost village economy.
The project is being implemented through Village Panchayats with technical support from Rural Development Department.
A District Panchayat Tourism Council headed by District Development Commissioner and comprised of Asstt Commis-sioner Development, Project Officer DRDA, Divisional Forest Officer, Executive Engineer PHE/PWD/ EM&RE, BDOs and Tehsildars, has been constituted to plan, implement and oversee the projects through Village Panchayats.
DDC Udhampur laid foundation stone of “Tikri Falls – Development of Waterfall, Ecotourism, Nature Trail and Religious Tourism” at Tikri. The Tikri Falls is being developed as a prime tourism destination with creation of three waterfalls, Two Lakes, view points, lights show, nature trail, park and sport apart from facilities for children and elderly. The project is first among series of tourism development projects between Tikri and Chenani along National Highway to woo tourists and strengthen village economy and infrastructure.
A meeting of line departments, executing agencies, technical experts, artists, village panchayat members and field officials was convened at spot of proposed Tikri Falls followed by project site inspection and initiation of work. One round feeder lake for 3 waterfalls and another longitudinal lake will be developed under the project.
A major project of soil treatment and rock retention will be part of tourism project. District Administration has pooled resources from various schemes for the project to be completed in 4 months time and catering to atleast two thousand tourist a day.
The Panchayat tourism projects are aimed at development of infrastructure with one time support from district administration followed by earning of revenue through tourism promotion which will be utilised for project and over development of Panchayats.
Other projects being started shortly include “Mountain Park-NH44” at Garnai-Mlahad, Water Sports Park at Narsoo, Heritage Museum in Mand and Ecological & Herbal Park in Bain Panchayat.
DDC Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary was accompanied by ACD Joginder Singh Rai, PO ICDS Sanjay Gupta, PO DRDA Dr Jagdish Mehra, CMO Dr Chander Parkash, X-En PHE Rajesh Gupta, X-En EM&RE Chamel Singh, Artist Vijay Anand, BDO, Tehsidlar, Naib Tehsildars, Sarpanchs and local residents.
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