Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 16: All Jammu Hotels & Lodges Association (AJHLA) has urged the State Government to take immediate measures for development of Gharana Wetland Reserve, which is unique host for migratory birds, which after flying thousands of miles from Siberia and other countries settle in this sanctuary during winter months every year.
In a press statement, president, AJHLA, Inderjeet Khajuria said that due to migratory birds the Gharana Wetland has acquired unique identity and also has a good potential to attract the tourists which will be instrumental in tourism promotion.
Mentioning about the plight of the local farmers, he said that it is a fact that the migratory birds badly damage the standing crops, which is the only source of their livelihood. The department should consider compensation in lieu of the crop damages.
He suggested that the Wild Life Department should take the local inhabitants into confidence before taking up development works in the Wetland Area. He said that in view of the damage being caused by the migratory birds, the local farmers have no option but to discourage the settling of birds in Wetland.
“Once the farmers are given compensation in lieu of their crop damages and they are involved in the development works in the Wetland to host the migratory birds, there will be no public problem in execution of the project”, he said
Khajuria further said that the recent visit of Choudhary Lal Singh, Minister for Forest, to the Gharana Wetland will serve as guidance in the development of Wetland Reserve, which host migratory birds in winter and is a source tourist attraction, which is the need of the hour to make Jammu as an independent tourist destination.
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