Jhajjar Kotli: Jammu's Natural Heritage Bypassed

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.