Dr. Banarsi Lal
Tourism is continuously growing across the globe because of its various attractive and new destinations for the tourists. It is termed as an instrument for employment generation, poverty eradication and sustainable human development. Tourism affects economic, cultural, social and political values of a country. Tourism has emerged as one of the world’s largest service industries with sizable economic benefits. With the emergence of ecommerce, innovations and technological advancements, demographic changes and the de-regulation of airline industry, the travel and tourism is spontaneously contributing to improve Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and creation of jobs across the world economy. This has led to the improvement of other related industries especially transportation, construction, retail etc. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that the travel and tourism sector accounts for about 9.9% of global GDP. World tourism is the world’s largest employer, generating more than 230 million jobs, or nearly one out of every 12 jobs globally. This booming tourism industry is emerging as an important driver of growth and prosperity, employment generator, supports to enhance the national income and improves the balance of payments. India’s tourism industry is experiencing a strong period of growth in high spending foreign tourists and coordinated government campaigns to promote ‘Incredible India’. Promotion of agri-tourism needs conceptual convergence with rural tourism, eco-tourism, health tourism, adventure tourism and culinary adventure. Present concept of travel and tourism is limited to urban and rich class which constitutes only a small portion of the population. However, the concept of rural tourism takes travel and tourism to the larger population, widening the scope of tourism. Rural tourism is considered as the fastest growing sector in the tourism industry and the places like Union Territory of J&K has immense scope in rural tourism.Tourism is a socio-cultural event for tourists. Through tourism the person gets the opportunity to see different areas of the world and observe different cultures and way of life. Tourists are a major factor of socio-cultural change. Tourism has many advantages. It enhances communication with the people, improves self image of the community, increases employment opportunities, improves educational opportunities, motivates for learning new things etc. Indian economy is a developing economy. The growth of new employment opportunities is lesser than population growth. At the time of independence, the Indian economy was having almost all characteristics of underdeveloped economy. Indian economy is an agricultural economy, as around 70 per cent of the country’s population gets employment in agriculture.
Reasi district of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is situated in the Shivalik hills and is around 72 km away from Jammu. This district is located at 1528 meters above mean sea level and is predominantly a hilly district. It is one of the oldest towns of J&K. It was the seat of the erstwhile Bhimgarh state, said to have been established by Bhim Dev somewhere in the 8th century. It remained an independent principality till 1822 when Gulab Singh, the then King of Jammu consolidated small states. Upto 1948 Reasi was the district of Jammu province but in the first administrative reorganization of the state undertaken in 1948 major part of the then district Reasi was merged with Udhampur district, while some area became part of district Poonch (now Rajouri).The name Reasi is derived from the town’s old name “Rasyal”.According to 2011 census total population of the district is 3, 14,714 and is at 570th rank out of 640 districts in India. Total literacy rate of Reasi district is 59.42%. Its population density is 184 persons/sq.km. Its population growth over decade 2001-2011 was 27.06% and has a sex ratio of 891 females for 1000 males. The district lies between 33005″ N latitude and 74050″ E longitude. The headquarter of district Reasi is situated at Reasi town. The district comprises presently of nine Tehsils and twelve blocks as per new statistics. There are 255 villages and 147 Panchayats in the district. Total geographical area of the district is about 1719 Sq. Km. It is the 13th largest district in Jammu and Kashmir.
The primary occupation of the people of Reasi is agriculture and allied activities. Reasi is economically an under-developed district. Various ethnic communities viz. Hindu, Muslim & Sikhs are the inhabitants of the district. It was carved out from Udhampur district on 1st April, 2007. Udhampur, Rajouri, Jammu, Ramban and Shopian are the adjoining districts of Reasi. This district of Jammu and Kashmir is worldwide famous because of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine where millions of devotees used to visit and pay homage to this holy shrine. The Chenab River flows through this district and added glamour to it. The district has an immense potential of hydel electricity generation and has one of the largest hydel projects in the country. Salal Power Project has been constructed over the Chenab River and this generates around 690 MW power. Through this project electricity is provided to U.P, J&K, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, H.P. Chandigarh & Rajasthan.1315 meters long Chenab railway bridge construction is in progress and will the highest bridge (383.10 meters height) in the world after its completion. The Jammu-Srinagar-Baramulla railway line also passes through Reasi district. This railway line will bring Reasi on the rail map of the country. Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir is said to an abode of Mata Vaishno Devi and blessed with vast biodiversity.
Reasi district has a variable climate ranging from sub-tropical to temperate. Reasi district comprises of three main agro climatic zones. The lower Hills of Katra, Painthal, Reasi, Pouni, Talwara fall in the sub-tropical belt. Intermediate zone comprises of Arnas, Kanthan, Thanpal, Judda, Dharmari etc. Higher hills zone comprises of Buddan, Mahore, Chasana, Lar, Deval etc. Mean annual rainfall of the district varies from 1000-1100mm with intensity ranging from the drizzling to the torrential rain. Rainfall is heavy and well distributed from June-September. Rainfall is moderate in other months. Sometimes dry spell also prevails in the district. Mountainous terrain and high peaks in the district are the main factors for the climate variation in the district. Summers are generally warm and winters cold with snowfall in higher altitudes.
Most part of the district is rain fed and about 6 per cent area is irrigated. Major crops of the districts are maize, wheat, paddy, mustard, black gram and green gram. Vegetables production and fodder have immense potential in the district. There is ample scope of mushroom cultivation, sericulture, apiaries for honey, backyard poultry and dairy farming in the district. Horticulture is an important sector in the district. Citrus and mango are important crops in Reasi area while temperate fruits like apple, almond, walnut, have tremendous potential in higher elevations. The district has immense potential for growing spices namely onion, garlic, ginger and turmeric in specific pockets of the district. Floriculture is new emerging industry in the district as the state is gifted with the world famous religious places.
Reasi is one of the most important places in terms of tourism in the state. Religious places like Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, Shiv Khori Shrine, Dera Baba Banda Bahadur, Baba Aghar Jitto Ji, Siarh Baba, Nao Devian, Deva Mai, Dhansar Baba etc. are in Reasi district and pilgrims from across the globe used to visit these spots throughout the year and pay homage. Bhimgarh Fort and Sulla Park are also important tourists’ destinations in the district. Throughout the year he Salal Hydro Electric Project located at Dhayangarh, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVD), Karkayal, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tanda are important centres in the district which added glory to the district. The train to Kashmir passes through this district and makes it an important place in the national atlas. Banganga, Anji. Ans, Rudd, Plassu, Pai etc. are the tributaries of the Chenab River. Through rural tourism more economic profits can be gained.Rural tourism has now become a major sector influencing all aspects of a nation’s. There is need to take proper measures for creating framework for the promotion of rural tourism. There is need to increase the rural tourism at a fast rate and it should be diversified. Increased tourists traffic in Reasi district calls for new marketing and pricing policies. There is need of proper planning and effective legislation for resource conservation and balanced developmental activities for the rural tourism. The technical resources are also required for successful promotion of rural tourism. Rural tourism can be fostered if it is an integral part of a balanced economic and social development programme. It is not only the government but the private sector can also play an equal responsible role for the development of rural tourism. Rural tourism can make our rural areas become attractive and prosperous.
(The writer is Chief Scientist & Head, KVK Reasi SKUAST-Jammu)