Jhajjar Kotli was once a lively place just a short drive from Jammu city, known as a favorite spot for families to escape the harsh summer heat. Old photographs from the 1990s in our homes show busy people enjoying the clear water, smooth stone pools, and green hills that made this area special. In addition to its beauty, Jhajjar Kotli played a big role in the local economy, helping street vendors and nearby shops by attracting many visitors. Travel groups often praised it as a hidden treasure, making it the top choice for short trips. It was also a popular spot for school outings and outdoor learning. Teachers liked using the place as a classroom where students could study nature by looking at rocks, identifying plants, and watching how water flows. These trips combined fun with learning, as children drew waterfalls, played games by the river, and shared meals. These experiences created lasting memories, a love for the outdoors, and a lasting curiosity about nature among young people.
Today, however, Jhajjar Kotli is in a
sorry state, neglected and empty, leaving only memories of a paradise that once
was a key part of Jammu's tourism. The place is overgrown with weeds, and
litter covers the land. The old walkways are breaking down and falling into the
stream, while the once lively waterfalls are now polluted and deserted, with no
visitors. Several issues have caused this sad decline. First, a new elevated
highway was built right over the area, making it completely inaccessible. Also,
a lack of funding stopped repairs and cleaning services, causing the site to
fall into disrepair. Instead of trying to adapt, the tourism department handled
the situation carelessly. Moreover, waste from nearby towns filled the water
systems, and natural wear and tear caused more damage, making the place less
attractive.
Jammu can revive this place with focused
efforts. Jhajjar Kotli has great potential to become an eco-friendly weekend
getaway. Preserving it is no longer just about leisure; it's a duty to protect
Jammu's shared memories and natural heritage. To begin, a single authority
should be given control to manage the site. Next, the National Highways
Authority of India (NHAI) should help build a safe exit ramp from the main
highway to the original site. At the same time, the administration needs to
launch a clean-up drive to remove unwanted vegetation from the stone stairs and
clear the natural pools of mud and debris.
To generate interest again, we should
post old photos on social media and use local community pages to remind people
of the past and attract younger visitors who enjoy short trips. Organizers can
then plan new school visits with guides, working directly with teachers to make
these visits both educational and fun. These trips can teach children about the
local environment and history, just like before, while fostering a sense of
community and offering schools a low-cost, nearby activity. In the end, these
steps can restore Jhajjar Kotli's charm and joy for future generations, provide
jobs for locals, increase tourism revenue, and preserve a part of Jammu’s
heritage before it disappears forever.
