Jammu’s tourism neglect: A region of potential overshadowed by Kashmir-centric policies

For decades, Jammu has remained a silent sufferer of systematic neglect in the tourism sector, despite its immense scenic beauty, cultural richness, ecological diversity, and religious heritage.

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These qualities place Jammu on par with - and at times ahead of - many of India's most celebrated tourist destinations. Yet, instead of being promoted for its strengths, Jammu has been largely reduced to a transit point, a mere gateway to the "Paradise on Earth" Kashmir and the "Moon-land" of Ladakh. The irony is evident; first-time tourists heading towards the Valley or Ladakh begin wearing woolens the moment they reach Jammu Railway Station, even during scorching summers, because they know nothing about the climate and culture, least to speak of treasures that Jammu itself holds. Beyond Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Patnitop, Surinsar and Mansar, the people outside Jammu and Kashmir know very little about the region.