JK Tourism organizes Baisakhi festival at Mansar, Suransar

Jammu, April 14 (Scoop News) –    Minister for Tourism and Culture,  Nawang Rigzin Jora has said that Centre has agreed to sanction 3 Tourism Mega Projects (TMP) of Rs. 50 crore each to the state during current financial year. He said these three mega projects have been identified as Sofi Circuit for Kashmir, Spiritual Circuit for Jammu and Buddhist Circuit for Leh, adding that in this regard the DPRs of two projects have already been formulated and finalized and the DPR of third project is in final stage.

This was stated by the Minister in a media interaction today at Mansar, where he inaugurated Baisakhi festival, organized by Tourism Department in collaboration with J&K Cultural Academy.

The festival was attended by a large number of tourists and locals. The reputed cultural artists of the State presented variety of cultural programmes depicting  rich cultural heritage and varied beauty of all the regions in the state. These cultural programmes mesmerized the audience and received applause from everyone present on the occasion. A wrestling competition was also held at Suransar Baisakhi festivals which was also witnessed by a large number of tourists and local residents.

The Minister said that main objective of organizing such festivals is to provide entertainment to the visiting tourists besides publicizing new destinations, adding that the festivals would be made now annual feature for the tourists.

The Minister said that Centre has approved funding of Rs. 5 crore for conservation and development of Suransar lake, adding that approval for another project of Rs. 5 crore for development and conservation of Mansar Lake is expected to reach soon from the Centre. He said after completing all codal formalities, the necessary conservation work besides infrastructure upgradation would be taken up at these lake sites.

 Jora said that pilgrim tourism potential of Jammu is being explored fully by developing pilgrim sites and creation of infrastructure there. He said after development of Shiv Khouri holy temple, focused attention would be given to develop other holy shrines and temples like Sudh Mahadev, Chichi Mata and Chandi Mata etc.

The Minister said that sanction of one more project for conservation of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, Jammu estimated at a cost of Rs. 25 crore is expected from the Centre, adding that there were certain observations on DPR made by the Union Ministry of Tourism which have been cleared. 

The Minister also inaugurated an exhibition-cum-awareness camp at Mansar. The exhibition was organized by district administration Samba on the eve of Baisakhi festival, in which 15 stalls were installed by various departments which were visited by a large number of people and visitors.

The Minister went round each stall, evinced his keen interest and instructed concerned departments to organize such exhibitions in other areas also for the welfare and knowledge of the rural people.

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