Rajouri, Oct 1: To mark World Tourism Day, the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, in collaboration with District Administration Rajouri, organised a three-day trekking expedition from Budhal to Samarthsar to showcase adventure tourism and scenic potential of Budhal—an emerging off-beat tourist destination.

Around 50 trekkers, including district officers, doctors, local trekking enthusiasts, actively participated in the expedition. The programme also served as an awareness drive for locals and youth, focusing on registration of residential houses as homestays, grooming youth as tourist guides and scope for promoting adventure Tourism.
The trekking route passes through numerous picturesque spots such as Gabbar, Bathan, Guleri, Gambiri Gali, Rich Bagla, Banj, Samarthsar, Saverimarg, Nagini and Kalhar. An overnight camping halt was organised at Samarthsar, featuring cultural programmes, homestay registration and Swachhta activities. The morning began with the singing of the National Anthem, resonating with patriotic fervour.
At the peak of Samarthsar, trekkers cherished panoramic views of the Pir Panjal range, including the majestic Dakhyar Peak—the highest in the region—and pristine alpine lakes like Bagh Sar.
Bagh Sar, in particular, fascinated trekkers with its unique freshwater streams flowing towards the Ans River on one side and Kalhar on the other.
Additionally, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Abhishek Sharma deputed the Chief Planning Officer, District Social Welfare Officer, Block Development Officer, Doctors and other officers to interact with nomadic communities in the hilly areas to rope in them for Aadi Karmayogi Abhiyan.
The outreach aimed to institutionalise grassroots leadership, strengthen governance in tribal areas, conduct gap analysis to improve public services delivery in health, education and welfare, also to ensure inclusive development and enhance grievance redressal and citizen engagement.
The expedition was described as a resounding success, effectively showcasing Budhal’s untapped potential for adventure and eco-tourism.
Chief Planning Office Maqsood Ahmed coordinated the expedition as the overall incharge, while AD Tourism Mumtaz Ahmed facilitated the arrangements. District and sectoral officers also took part in the event.