Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla today said that Government has taken up various restoration works to revive pristine glory of various heritage sites across the State, adding that conservation of these heritage sites would further boost tourism industry in Jammu region.This was stated by the Minister while interacting with the people while inspecting Panjbaktar Mahadev temple at Residency Road, here today.The Minister went around the temple and took stock of condition of ancient wall paintings. He asked the accompanied officers of Tourism and Culture departments and the members of INTAC to come up with a detailed project for revival of pristine glory of the ancient wall paintings besides idol of God.
Special Secretary Tourism and Culture Mrs Reva Kumari, Director Floriculture Mr. K K Sharma and Executive Member of INTAC Mr. Himmat Sharma accompanied the Minister.The Minister said that J&K has rich cultural heritage, adding that conservation and restoration of historical monuments in the state is receiving focused attention of the Government. He said that a number of such state monuments have already been restored to their pristine glory during last five years.Bhalla said the conservation works on Hari Parbat Fort at Srinagar, Chingus Fort at Rajouri besides other historical buildings, temples, monasteries, shrines have been completed while work on damaged Bahu Fort wall is being executed on war-footing by Jammu Development Authority (JDA).The Minister said that promotion of heritage tourism in the State is priority of Government and measures are afoot to restore the pristine glory of left out historical sites. He said Government has identified 29 historical sites in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions for their preservation and conservation. He said stress is being laid on restoration of all heritage sites of the State to their original form by adopting scientific methods and involvement of highly skilled man power.The Minister said that the promotion of heritage tourism provides an opportunity to the visiting yatris from various parts of the country and abroad to have a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir based on the peaceful co-existence of people of different faiths.
The Minister said that Government has earmarked Rs. 89 lakh for construction of approach road, landscaping, toilet complex, illumination, seating, jogging track and car parking facilities for the visitors at ancient Ranvir Nath Ji temple near Jammu Airport.Describing tourism sector as another potential area for State’s economic growth, Bhalla said that in view of the ever increasing rush of pilgrims to Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Shri Amarnath Shrine and Shri Budha Amarnath ji Shrine, a number of tourist circuits have been created for boosting the tourism in the State. Bhalla said that the Government has earmarked corpus fund of Rs. 50 crore for meeting the expenditure on conservation and preservation of rich heritage assets of the State. Later, the Minister paid obeisance in the temple and prayed for peace and prosperity of the State.