Avtar Bhat
BANI, June 22: The development plans of tourist resorts of Sarthal and Dhaggar -Khajjar in Bani tehsil of Kathua district and pilgrimage places of Jorian Wali Mata and Dolay Wali Mata in the same area along with famous Airma temple of Lord Shiva are on the anvil.
The Lakhanpur- Sarthal Development Authority is on the job to frame a detailed Project report of Rs 25 crore for these tourist resorts to be submitted to State Government for approval and onwards transmission to the Union Government for sanction of funds.
According to sources, this step is being taken to boost the tourism industry in the area and expose the site seeing places and pilgrimage centers of the area to public.
The project report will cover the famous tourist resort of Sarthal in Bani tehsil on Bani -Bhaderwah road, tourist resort of Dhaggar- Khajjar in Bani, famous shrines of Jorian Wali Mata falling in between Bani Nad Basohli road and Dolay Wali Mata near Bani and Airma temple in Kathua a temple of Lord Shiva constructed during Pandvas’ time which attracts thousands of pilgrims every year, sources added.
Sources said the step was taken to boost the tourism in this hilly area and to uplift the economic standard of the people by launching various employment generating units.
Sources said under the new project report Rs 5 crore each will be earmarked for their development. The salient features of the tourist resorts will be part of the project report highlighting their significance.
Sources said Sarthal is a beautiful Valley and a tourist resort no less important than world famous tourist resort of Gulmarg in Baramulla district and Doodpathri in Budgam district of Kashmir Valley. But unfortunately no attention was paid to its development and exposure to inter state or world tourists by successive State Governments. Development of Sarthal will boost the tourism trade in the area as it is the place wherefrom the trekking route to Kailash Yatra in Bhaderwah originates, sources added.
There is a natural meadow at Sarthal and during summer pure milk, ghee and butter are available in abundance here.
Under the new scheme the Government is planning to construct a TRC at Sarthal with a recreational park to provide budgeted accommodation to the local tourists visiting there.
Sources said likewise the Dhaggar -Khajjar which is also a natural lush green meadow with panoramic beauty will be developed on the same pattern of Sarthal tourist spot. The area is famous for wild life, apple and walnut orchards.
Jorian Wali Mata falling in between Sunder Nagri (Basohli) and Bani will also be developed under pilgrimage tourism. Under the scheme a Yatra Bhawan, recreation park and view points enroute to shrine will be constructed. Besides, the lighting arrangements at shrine and laying of tiles will be part of the project.
Same facilities will be created at Dolay Wali Mata situated 20 kilometres form Bani, sources added.
Sources said the same facilities will be provided at Airma Temple of Lord Shiva at Kathua.
Maintaining that Bani is the land of folklores and festivals, Dr Bharat Bushan CEO Lakahnpur-Sarthal Development Authority said that all steps will be taken to promote tourism in the area.
He said the project report is being prepared in consultation with the MLA Bani Master Lal Chand who has already discussed the same with Union Tourism and Cultural Ministry.
Meanwhile, sources said that Union Minister of State with PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh who also represents the Kathua-Udhampur -Doda Constituency in Lok Sabha has also shown keen interest in promotion of tourism in the area and has already discussed the issue with local MLA.
Dr Singh has assured all support to the local MLA in developing the area for promotion of tourism in the area.
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