JAMMU, Jun 22: Mahant Rohit Shastri, President of Shri Kailakh Jyotish Avim Vedic Sansthan Trust, called for focused efforts to promote rural and religious tourism in Jammu and Kashmir during a meeting with Joint Director Tourism Jammu, Aijaz Qaiser. The meeting was held to discuss strategies for strengthening tourism infrastructure, preserving cultural heritage, and generating employment opportunities for local youth.
During the interaction, Mahant Rohit Shastri appreciated the efforts of the Tourism Department in giving a new direction to the tourism sector in Jammu. He emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir possesses immense potential owing to its natural beauty, spiritual significance, cultural diversity, and rich historical heritage. He stressed that several unexplored destinations in the region deserve recognition on the national and international tourism map.
Highlighting the importance of rural tourism, Shastri said its promotion would create opportunities for local artisans, craftsmen, farmers, and small entrepreneurs while strengthening the rural economy. He added that sustainable tourism initiatives could generate employment and self-employment opportunities for youth across the Union Territory.
The Mahant specifically urged the Tourism Department to promote prominent religious destinations of Jammu, including Shri Bawa Kailakh Dev Temple at Thather-Bantalab, Shri Shova Mata Temple at Ranjan Jandial, Baba Ballo Dev Sthan at Mathwar, and Bhagwan Shri Parshuram Temple at Akhnoor. He said these revered sites attract thousands of devotees annually and possess immense potential to emerge as major religious tourism destinations.
Speaking on the occasion, Joint Director Tourism Jammu Aijaz Qaiser said Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as a safer and more attractive tourist destination, witnessing a steady rise in domestic and international tourist arrivals. He also highlighted the success of the new Film Policy, which has helped develop the Union Territory as a major hub for film production while creating employment opportunities for local youth.
Qaiser assured the delegation that the suggestions submitted during the meeting would be forwarded to the government and concerned authorities for consideration. He reiterated that the Tourism Department is committed to promoting religious and rural tourism as key drivers of economic growth and cultural preservation in the region.
Among those present were Amit Mahajan, Karunesh Gupta, and other members of the delegation.