M L Gupta
The State of Jammu and Kashmir known for its unique topography and geography has not developed at par with other States of the country like Punjab, Haryana, Banglore etc. The mainstay of Kashmir has been handicrafts and horticulture, handloom, tourism and hydel power potential beside agriculture but terrorism prevailing in the state since 1988 gave substantial blow particularly to tourism sector. Jammu region lacks not only in handicrafts, scenic spots development it’s economy largely depends on religious tourism. After constitution of governance board directly under the Governor for Mata Vaishno Devi in 1986, the Shrine has attracted gradually large number of pilgrims even touching figure of one crore annually. The generous offering has made this Shrine Board the richest in the State. Therefore, there is a need to utilize the surplus for development of other pilgrim spots like Machhail Mata, Sukrala Mata & Kali Mata temple of Bahu-Fort Jammu placing these directly under the SMVD Shrine board. Beside religious tourism Jammu region has also many beautiful spots which can be developed in circuitry manner as under to attract general tourist beside prolonging stay of pilgrim tourists:-
a) Sanasar, Patnitop, Nathatop, Kud, Pancheri and Chenani circuit which may also include Mantalai & Sudhmahadev. If feasible ropeway may connect Mantalai with Patnitop.
b) Bani, Sarthal, Bhadarwah & Kishtwar
c) Poonch – Rajouri tourism can be feasible by planned development of Noori Chhamb, Peeyoda Sukh Sarovar, Nanded Sarovar and Ballagarh. Jammu Dogardesh drives it’s name from do-gar namely Surinsar and Mansar lakes. These two lakes should be planned to have a 60 feet wide grass strip all around followed by jeepable road, hotel spots then pony tracks surrounded by integrated forest, horticulture and floriculture belts at intervals then leading to residential colonies. Hotel and residential land should be auctioned to raise funds developmental purposes. Same pattern should be followed for development of Tawi lake. At Sanasar we have water flowing down from Nathatop upto Batote. Green belts and hotel spots should be planned like hanging gardens at Nathatop and down below along the route of water with private participation. Pony tracks and jeepable roads be considered wherever feasible to connect Pancheri with Kud, Nathatop, Sanasar and Patnitop circuit. Waste, wet lands and Nallahs in above circuits and elsewhere should be developed into integrated forest, horticulture and floriculture belts through participation of locals panchayats which can be given lease to allow benefit of these developments to pass on to local in lieu of their free labour. The Govt. may provide machinery free of cost for the development period to deepen the Nallah and leveling of land.
Industries in J&K have remained at low key due to heavy cost in transportation of raw materials and finished goods. Few related to medicines and pesticides have alone stayed due to incentives. Therefore other low weight items like quality control equipments, tools and gauges can be attracted in engineering sector beside low weight components for defense industry. A large role has to be played by the centre in this direction. Further since global warming is resulting in changes like floods and draughts, rural employment has to be made gainful beside development of pacca roads. Kashmir handicrafts and handlooms could be extended to Jammu and Ladakh region also providing district wise centres to train people in these lines beside providing raw material and marketing support. Also bee keeping, mushroom production, poultry and mechanized dairy forms be encouraged through these districts level centres in big way so that rural masses have other means to fall back if crops fail and get destroyed in flood. World-wide market for Kashmiri shawls and handicrafts should also be explored. Other sector like information parks and cyber cities be also developed in J&K on the pattern of Bangluru and Hyderabad. For this purpose central govt. has to promote J&K as destination for Indian and foreign companies. However fruits of development can only be possible if corruption is eliminated and population growth negated.
(The author is former MD J&K Minerals Ltd)
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