Editorial

‘Cross-Border tourism’ — A way forward

SRINAGAR — Suchetgarh, the last village along Line of Control (LoC) in Ranbir Singh Pura in Jammu division is surrounded by nearly 10 border villages. Barely 28 kms from Jammu, the Winter Capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Suchetgarh can be developed on the lines of Wagah Border in Amritsar in Punjab that will give boost to the tourism in the region.

Suchetgarh Post served as the route to Sialkot during the pre-partition era, which is just 11 kms from the post. Earlier there was an Octroi post at this point. On the other side of the border post lies a spectacular Banyan Tree, which is as old as 100 years.

The road to Nai Basti-Gulabgarh from Jammu follows the train route as it existed prior to 1947 and a number of old buildings can be seen on the way. In close to vicinity are the wet lands where migratory birds of a number of varieties flock during the winter season.

A well organised Parade by the men of country’s largest border guarding force (BSF) can be a regular feature of ‘retreat ceremony’ to be organised at Suchetgarh to boost the tourism in the region. Besides, fulfilling decades old demand of developing Suchetgarh on the Zero Line of the Indo-Pak border on the lines of Amritsar’s Wagah border, the Government should organize a daily ‘retreat ceremony’ aiming to promote border tourism and it will attract tourists to the border belt.

Besides parade, tourism activities such as Mountain, Adventure, Heritage, Eco-tourism and Pilgrimage tourism etc. can be initiated to attract adventure lovers.

The required infrastructure such as a restaurant, seating arrangements, park and other facilities must be developed by the tourism ministry for the ‘retreat ceremony’ under the border tourism project. This event can be of national important that will promote love and brotherhood.

On the other side of Suchetgarh lies the first city of Pakistan, Sialkot, which is only 11 kilometers away from Suchetgarh. This was the first railway route in Jammu and Kashmir mostly used for trade during the pre-partition era (Indo-Pak partition). People from both sides used to travel through this railroad to Lahore and onwards.

Suchetgarh has a historical significance ever since Dogra rule was established in the erstwhile state in the mid-18th century. It used to be an important trading point between Sialkot and Jammu during pre-partition era.

The border dwellers for decades have been demanding the start of a ‘ceremonial parade’ between two forces just like Wagah.

The unique banyan tree that demarcates the boundary of India and Pakistan on the International Border (IB) at Suchetgarh in the Jammu district has become the most photographed landmark amidst efforts of the J&K government to make the place a tourist hotspot. This is perhaps the only point where a tree and not any traditional concrete pillar demarcates boundary of the two countries. — (KIMS)

Author: Dr. Rizwan Rumi