* Even after Independence Rajouri & Poonch Districts remained neglected *
DAYA SAGAR
As and when done so, after 4- Laning the Jammu – Poonch highway the tourist could be pleasantly and safely conducted along Mughal Road on Bufliaz-Shopian route. Enroute there would be much waiting the tourist including adventures. In this area there are no less natural scenic beauties, lush green forests, green meadows, historic water-falls, and wonderful Alpine Lakes in Pir Panjal range just 6 to 7 kilometers from Aliabad Sarai like Chandan Sar. Divya Sar., Sukh Sar ,. Gam Sar. There is lot for exploitable adventure tourism as well since there are also more small lakes around at higher Valleys as high as 12000 ft and above MSL.(1 Samot Sar a oval shaped blue/ clear water one Km lake at 3550mt MSL almost at the north end of the Badjari Marg is about 4 km or so on foot from Budhal ; 2. Nandan Sar – a big lake of the area 3..Chandan Sar . It is of size like Nandan Sar and is also near to Nandan Sar. A bean shaped lake of about two Km girth is at a distance of one day on foot from Ravi Walli Marg under the prevailing conditions and has lot of floating icebergs till end of July and is located at around 3800 Mt. MSL and is source of Chamar Nalah which later joins Bufliaz Nalah near Behram Gala; 4. Divya Sar, as the name suggests has the shape of a lamp, size of lake is small , about one Km and is located at 3600mt MSL; 5.Sukh Sar is another oval shaped lake at height of 3000 mt; 6. Akaldarshni – about 1.5 km from Sukh Sar 7. Gam Sar is another small lake at height of 3600 mt and over looking this lake is Dhakayar peak ( 4660 mt, highest peak in the range) and there are other small lakes though at heights ) Mountain peaks of Ganga Chauti, Tatta Ktti, Kagalana etc have no equals.
It is no use blaming the Kashmiri leadership for the backwardness of these areas. It would be better to work out good schemes for these districts ( Rajouri – Poonch) and impress upon Government of India to assist J&K Government through specially funded programmes. With so much time lost it would require more of efforts in time and extra funds for economic development of these areas through industrial projects. But the time lost could be made good through development of surface transport infrastructure and promotion of tourism in this area since even the available pilgrim tourism could provide a lot of seed inputs for establishing commercial tourism in this area in a couple of years. Ofcourse so far neglected fruit and pulses cultivation too need special attention.
To start with places of pilgrimage could be promoted with added efforts. Simultaneously the infrastructure for commercial tourism could be developed. A few thousand Cr of rupees will have to be allocated instead of proposing tiny programes of 5 or 10 Cr . Even one kilometer of road for flow of normal safe tourist traffic could cost minimum Rs.3 to 5 Cr in such like areas. Rather to compensate for the neglect over last 6 decades even after independence a ‘high power’ Tourism Development Authority is required for these districts . Authority could be headed by an officer of the level not less than Additional Chief Secretary ( Principal Secretary ). Ofcourse there is a need to spend around Rs. 5000 to 6000 crores on infrastructure development in these areas in a single go. Had the jobs been done at the right time just only 300 to 400 crores would have met the needs. The Mughal road and areas around project too need be taken under the tourism development programme.
When roads and buildings are constructed some times more than half of the expenditure goes to buy direct or indirect services from the locals. The employment and business for the locals is generated. The economy improves. This would also make the job of anti national elements involved in exploiting the sentiments of poor innocent people in the name of religion more difficult. The educational backwardness would be reduced. Locals of the area would be exposed to more outside information and would at their own level make efforts for their administrative and economic development..
About 90 Kilometer stretch from Bufliaz (Poonch) to Shopian if completed would enable the economy of the area to take astonishing leaps. The route has historical sites, historical remains, lush green large meadows, pastures and passes. There are many potential villages like Aliabad Saraie, Poshana, Dugeran, Behram Galla, Dhera ki Gali and , Noori Chamb for development of commercial tourism. The Panj Saran track from 12000 ft high Peer Pass to 8500 ft High Rattan Peer could attract travelers and tourists from world over..
The glaciers in this area and along these on these routes would open flood gates for TOURIST Traffic and bring fortunes to the people of State.
Himachal Pradesh has further developed Dalhousie / Dharamsala. Poonch and Rajouri too have equally good sites around. The beauties of Surankot and the large and fantastic 6 kilometer maidaan near Surankot on Bufliaz road is a rare site. Noori Chamb has Chir forest and a large cascade . Just 22 Km from Noori Chamb is Budda Amaranth Shrine in Mandi. And ofcourse Mandi ( Poonch) itself could be developed into a fantastic resting place for the tourist with a commercial approach. .
To quote even Bhudhal area is a cool and beautiful place but the town has remained neglected. Low Clouds are so frequent in Bhudhal during summers/ rainy days . Sungri is another beautiful hilly area near Buddal. Just 4 kilometer on foot from Bhudal on the north end of Badjari Marg is an oval shaped clear water 1 km large lake *Samot Sar.
Just 22 Km from Mandi is Loran. Six kilometers from Loren is a 10 sq Km large Gali Maidan . Along the Mughal Raod about 20 Km from Gali Maidan large snow fields can be seen round the year. Those who have been to Rohtang Pass near Manali ( H. P) would appreciate the commercial value from tourism angles resting in such areas. The large snow fields 40 Km from Manali on way to Rohtang Pass have made Manali the most sought after tourist destination . Similarly area around Mughal Road will have to be exposed through media. No doubt for making the Mughal Road a real link long tunnels will have to be made a part of the project. For doing so State needs to involve experienced professional design and construction companies so that this nearly over 2 decades old project is completed by atleast 2026.
(The author is a Senior Journalist and Social Activist dayasagr45@yahoo.com).