EVALUATION OF KNOWN AND UNKNOWN TOURIST DESTINATIONS ALONG THE LOWER SANKH RIVER CORRIDOR IN THE SIMDEGA DISTRICT, JHARKHAND

Jharkhand possesses numerous tourist destinations with significant tourism potential, many of which remain unexplored and largely unknown even among the state's population. If these sites are properly developed and promoted through sustainable tourism planning and infrastructure development, they have considerable potential to generate revenue and contribute to local and regional economic growth. The lower Sankh River corridor in Simdega district, Jharkhand, comprises many such spots like forested hill slopes, reservoirs, and places of pilgrimage with potential to attract tourists. A total of six destinations, including Hirdah Dham, Ramrekha Dham, Basatpur Valley, Kelaghagh Dam and Dangaddi as well as Dumki Village, were emphasized in this study through a field-based multi-criteria framework followed by the development of six indicators-namely aesthetic appeal, accessibility, recreational opportunities, tourism infrastructure, visitation suitability, and safety and management. Data were gathered from repeated field surveys (2024-2026), GPS mapping, photography, and local interactions. The highest scorer was Kelaghagh Dam (28/30), followed by Dangaddi (27/30), Ramrekha Dham (25/30), Hirdah Dham (24/30), Basatpur Valley (23/30), and Dumki Village (22/30). Key findings indicate a promising outlook for sustainable river-based tourism in southwestern Jharkhand. Keywords: Sankh River, Kelagagh, Dangaddi, Basatpur, Ramja Simdega