Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Choudhary Lal Singh today said that Government will focus on developing religious places in Jammu region to promote pilgrim tourism.Addressing a large gathering at Jio Pota in Akhnoor, this afternoon, the Minister informed that Jia Pota Ghat got its name from the Jia Pota tree whose botanical name is Putranjiva roxburghii of Euphorbiaceae family. Under the shade of this tree the Raj Tilak ceremony of Maharaja Gulab Singh took place on 17th of June 1822 A.D, he said.Legislators Rajeev Sharma and Vikramaditya Singh were present on the occasion.Ch Lal Singh exhorted upon the people to take inspiration from the great people who have left indelible marks in every sphere of activity by dint of their selfless services. He said that glorious heritage of the State stands testimony to the fact that the people lived in a spirit of togetherness and harmony.“This spirit is to be imbibed in the younger generation so that Jammu and Kashmir becomes a great legacy of the ancestors who environed it as an abode of peace and tranquility,” he added.The Minister said that efforts are being made to draw pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishno Devi shrine to other tourist destinations of the region particularly in Akhnoor town. He informed that Government has spent adequate funds for creating various infrastructure facilities for tourists and pilgrims at Jio Pota, adding that Government intends to promote water-sports tourism on river Chenab in Akhnoor.Ch Lal Singh said that instructions have been issued to concerned authorities to fast track conservation and protection of historical monuments and sites. He said fillip in state’s tourism is embedded in linking it with cultural distinctiveness of the state, which can attract domestic, foreign and Indian diaspore to the state.
The Minister said that all the regions of the state have their own distinct identity and cultural heritage, which is being protected and showcased as heritage tourism. He said restoration and conservation work of several heritage sites in Akhnoor tehsil including famous Akhnoor Fort, Jio Pota Ghat, Terra Cotta, Buddist monuments at Ambaran, Pandow Gufa, Sumah, Jio Poto Library is on. He said development of the right bank of Chenab river as heritage site has also been taken up and huge funds are being expended on the restoration and conservation of these heritage sites in the area.Speaking on the occasion, MLA Akhnoor Rajeev Sharma said that Jammu and Kashmir is known for its scenic splendor across the globe and maintained that there are lot of unexplored beautiful areas which need to be projected at the national and international levels for attracting tourist and pilgrims. He said that Government is making all out efforts to bring Jio Pota area of Akhnoor tehsil on tourism map of the state.He said that Akhnoor tehsil has witnessed massive development in all sectors because of an effective planning adding that various schemes under R&B, PHE, PDD, Health, Tourism and education have been initiated to achieve balanced development in the town. MLC Vikramaditya Singh highlighted the importance of Jio-Pota where historic Raj Tilak ceremony was performed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh for anointment of Gulab Singh. Singh said that the present Government is making every efforts to restore the pristine glory of heritage sites and steps are being taken to show case these to attract tourists and increase their stay in the state, particularly the pilgrims tourists of Shri Mata Vaishno Deviji, Shri Amarnath ji and Shivkhori shrine. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sunaina Sharma, former Minister Gulchain Singh Charak, Chairman RTCC Th.K P Singh, Col. J P Singh, former PSC Member K B Jandial besides various senior civil and police officers and large number of people were also present on the occasion.