MANSAR: With a view to developing Mansar as an exquisite prime destination of Tourism in Jammu region, Mr Ranbir Singh Pathania MLA Ramnagar today chaired a facilitative officers-cum-public meeting for a comprehensive roadmap for holistic development of Mansar. While addressing the meeting, he said that gospel of 'developing Jammu as an independent tourist destination' is incomplete without developing Mansar as an exquisite tourism site. He called for collaborative planning amongst the different agencies.
The meeting was attended Arvind Kotwal, CEO Surinsar-Mansar Development authority; VS Senthil Regional WildLife Warden; Ved Parkash,Tehsildar Majalta;BDO Majalta,officers of PWD,PHE,PDD, and prominent people of the area. It was decided in the meeting to frame a Steering Committee comprising of representatives of all nodal departments, headed by Chief Executive Officer Mansar Development Authority which shall oversee the development affairs in and around the Mansar. The committee shall look into the issues regarding optimum water level of the lake, overall drainage of the lake and fencing of the lake.
Public support was canvassed and garnered for shifting of cremation ground from the banks of lake and also restricting washing of clothes on the banks of the lake. Wildlife authorities were asked to maintain a optimum level of fishes in the lake so that flora and fauna of the lake is not disturbed. Wildlife authorities were asked to prepare a comprehensive Action Plan on development diversification and projection of ecotourism in and around the exquisite lake of Mansar.
He also called for preserving, developing and showcasing Purani Haveli of Mansar which had been built during the rule of Maharaja Partap Singh as a 'reposing place'. Mr Pathania laid thrust on the infrastructure development in and around the Mansar area so that tourists influx can be increased .Mr Pathania further said that the Mansar lake is of immense historical, religious, aesthetic, scientific significance. And it has the potential of blooming into a major tourist spot of Jammu district just on way to Holy Shrine of Sri Mata Vaishno Devi, as such, beholds greater opportunities of development, exposure, livelihood-earning and revenue-generation.
Mr Pathania informed that a Master-Plan for all-round development of the area has been carefully crafted put in public domain for inviting suggestions/ objection if any, from all the stake holders. Local community members present on the occasion were in all praise for their young vibrant vibrant legislator for facilitating such a meeting first of its kind, which has given them a forum for sharing their opinion and airing grievances.