The Government is all set to tap and promote adventure Tourism in Jammu division like trekking, rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, mountaineering, hiking and camping.In this regard, a meeting of Tourism Department’s Advisory committee was chaired by Deepika Kumari Sharma, Director Tourism, Jammu, to finalize the modalities including mapping and identification of new potential areas. The meeting deliberated upon the feasibility of introducing adventure activities like trekking, rock climbing, mountaineering, hiking and camping.The Advisory committee separately discussed the possibility of introducing water activities like rafting, kayaking, canoeing and boating in different riverine stretches of the region. The committee had specially invited experts for mapping the potential locations for extreme adventure activities like paragliding, BASE jumping, parasailing, rafting etc.The committee also approved potential locations for starting Zip line and other adventure activities viz Camping, Trekking etc at Mansar and Surinsar lakes subject to clearance from the Wildlife and other allied departments. Water adventure activities like speed boating, kayaking, canoeing and rafting was identified as a major potential area in Ranjit Sagar Lake.
It was decided to invite registered Adventure tour operators to tap the vast potential of the water body. It was decided to develop Baradari to Ambaran Akhnoor of river Chenab as a major hub of rafting. Introduction of Aqua Zorbing and plying of Shikaras in Sanasar Lake was also discussed in the meeting.The Director Tourism stressed for exploring luxury eco camping in Patnitop, Sanasar, Sarthal, Duggan, Bhaderwah and Purthu in Basholi. She also directed for developing Padri and Jai valley of Bhaderwah as Eco adventure hotspot.The meeting was attended by Dr. Rajinder Khajuria CEO BDA, Showkat Mehmood Joint Director Tourism, Jammu, Subha Mehta, DDT Jammu, Anil K Attri DFO, Reasi, Dr. Umesh Shan ADT, Katra, Ambika Bali ADT, NHW, Batote, Sheena Sahni ADT, Jammu, Virender Sharma, Range Officer, Harbans Singh AO, JIM & WS. Also Group Captain Kamal Singh Oberai, Mohit Verma, Ex Member Winter Games, Jammu, Ashish Nanda, Secretary General Winter Games, Jammu, Sunil Raina, Founder, High Altitude Adventure School, Sanjay Singh Sambyal, Rafting Expert, Sanjay Kumar, Paragliding Pilot were present during the course of meeting.