Ranchi, Oct 27: Patratu, one of Jharkhand’s prominent tourist destinations, has received national recognition after winning the ‘Silver Banyan Award’ in the ‘Riverside Heritage’ category at THE WEEK Heritage Awards 2026.
Jharkhand Tourism Secretary Mukesh Kumar and Director of Tourism Naman Priyesh Lakra received the award at a ceremony held at the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya and Library in New Delhi.
Organised by The Week magazine, the second edition of the Heritage Awards recognised tourism destinations, cultural heritage sites and innovative initiatives across India for their contributions to heritage conservation, tourism promotion and local development. Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat attended the ceremony as the chief guest. A total of 18 awards were presented across nine categories, along with eight special editorial awards.
Known for its scenic valleys, natural beauty and expansive reservoir, Patratu has emerged as a major tourist attraction in Jharkhand. Facilities such as boating, a floating restaurant and a musical fountain have added to its appeal, strengthening its tourism profile.
The award recognises Patratu’s growing prominence as a tourism destination and the ongoing efforts to develop its infrastructure and visitor facilities. The Jharkhand government is working to promote the state’s natural and cultural heritage nationally and internationally, with a focus on improving tourist amenities, enhancing visitor experiences and encouraging local community participation.
Tourism development is also expected to support the local economy by creating employment and self-employment opportunities for residents, particularly in hospitality, food services, transportation, local product promotion and other tourism-related activities.
Commenting on the achievement, Tourism Secretary Mukesh Kumar praised the efforts of departmental officials, the local administration and others involved in developing the Patratu tourism project. He described the award as an encouraging milestone for Jharkhand’s tourism sector and expressed confidence that the recognition would provide fresh momentum to tourism infrastructure development and community participation at other destinations across the state.
