Water sports at Baglihar yet to get going
Tribune News Service
Jammu, March 9
The promise made by the Jammu and Kashmir Government to start water sports activities in the Baglihar power project reservoir on the Chenab river in Doda district is yet to be materialised.
No area on the banks of this reservoir has been developed to attract tourists and water sports enthusiasts.
In fact, it seems the setting up of the reservoir has led to a change in dynamics of environment as landslides have become the order of the day. Several villages along the river Chenab are under threat of being razed. Geologists have been, time and again, suggesting that living close to the reservoir means “inviting death”.
Perhaps to divert the attention of people from the ground realities, the state government had promised to take up several projects around the reservoir to boost tourism and involve local population. Starting water sports by facilitating the necessary infrastructure was one of the projects promised by the Mehbooba Mufti government but so far, nothing has been done.
The Tourism Department claims that they are hopeful of starting water sports from this year.
“Civil works in Pul Doda, where water sports are going to be held, are underway and almost 70 per cent of the work has been completed. All modalities are being finalised with the private players that will facilitate water sports,” claimed Ravinder Kumar Khajuria, Chief Executive Officer of the Bhaderwah Development Authority.
