- ‘Silver Banyan Award’ conferred in the ‘Riverside Heritage’ category at ‘THE WEEK Heritage Awards 2026’
- Prestigious honor for Patratu in the ‘Riverside Heritage’ category; national recognition for tourism development in Jharkhand
- This national honor for Patratu highlights Jharkhand’s rich natural heritage, its evolving tourism infrastructure, and the sustained efforts to establish the state as a premier tourism destination in the country.
- Shri Mukesh Kumar, Tourism Secretary, Jharkhand
The tourism sector of Jharkhand has achieved a significant milestone at the national level. Patratu, a key tourism destination in the state, has been honored with the ‘Silver Banyan Award’ in the ‘Riverside Heritage’ category at the prestigious ‘THE WEEK Heritage Awards 2026’. The award was received by Shri Mukesh Kumar, Secretary of the Department of Tourism, Art, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Jharkhand, and Shri Naman Priyesh Lakra, Director of Tourism, at a ceremony held at the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya (Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library) in New Delhi.
The second edition of the ‘Heritage Awards,’ organized by THE WEEK magazine, recognized tourism sites, cultural heritage landmarks, and innovative tourism initiatives from across the country that have made significant contributions toward preserving India’s rich heritage, promoting tourism, and fostering local development. Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, attended the ceremony as the chief guest. This year, a total of 18 awards were presented across nine major categories, alongside eight special editorial awards.
Renowned for its natural beauty, picturesque valleys, and a vast reservoir, Patratu is carving out a distinct identity among Jharkhand’s premier tourism destinations. The development of facilities such as boating, a floating restaurant, a musical fountain, and other tourism amenities at the Patratu reservoir has transformed it into an attractive destination for tourists. This recognition, received in the ‘Riverside Heritage’ category, serves as a significant national-level acknowledgment of Patratu’s identity as a tourist destination and the ongoing efforts toward its development.
The Government of Jharkhand is consistently striving to place the state’s natural and cultural heritage on the national and international tourism map. Priority is being given to developing infrastructure, expanding tourist amenities, enhancing the overall visitor experience, and ensuring the participation of local communities at various tourist sites across the state, including Patratu.
These tourism development initiatives also aim to strengthen the local economy. Special emphasis is being placed on creating employment and self-employment opportunities for local youth and communities through sectors such as hospitality, food and beverage services, transportation, the promotion of local products, and other tourism-related services.
On this achievement, Departmental Secretary Mr. Mukesh Kumar commended the efforts of departmental officials, the local administration, and all those who contributed to the development of the Patratu tourism project. Describing this honor as an encouraging milestone for Jharkhand’s tourism sector, he expressed confidence that it would provide fresh momentum to the development of other tourist destinations in the state, the strengthening of tourism facilities, and the active involvement of local communities.