Potential remains untapped for want of vision document
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Aug 7: Jammu and Kashmir has immense potential for eco-tourism but the same has largely remained untapped mainly because of non-serious approach in finalizing the draft policy, which has been rendered as merely a decorative piece for the website of the Department of Forest during the quite long time. This is notwithstanding the fact that eco-tourism potential can immensely benefit people by providing them livelihood opportunities.
Not only the previous dispensations in Jammu and Kashmir even the present PDP-BJP Coalition Government has, on numerous occasions, claimed that much attention was being paid towards tapping the immense potential for eco-tourism, which provides basic framework for ecologically sustainable tourism with livelihood opportunities for local communities.
Last year, Government got the draft of Eco-Tourism Policy prepared through Forest Department so that available potential is tapped in a planned way, official sources told EXCELSIOR. Later, some modifications were carried out in the draft and accordingly the same was put in the public domain by posting it on the website of Forest Department for inviting comments and suggestions from stakeholders, Non-Governmental Organizations and departments.
Vide Communication No.FST/Land dated May 17, 2017 the Department of Forest, Environment and Ecology even forwarded copy of the draft Eco-Tourism Policy to heads of different wings of the Forest Department with the request to furnish comments/views within a period of four weeks positively. “However, no progress was made thereafter and draft of the policy has merely been rendered as decorative piece for the website of Forest Department”, sources said.
“It is difficult to specify time-frame for finalization of policy”, said Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Forest Department, Mohammad Afzal Bhat when contacted. He, however, added that at least two-three months would be required to give final shape to the vision document.
Responding to a question, he said that eco-tourism has huge potential in Jammu and Kashmir and proper vision document was imperative especially in the light of the fact that unplanned tourism can destroy the environment that attracts the tourists.
“It is a matter of concern that on one side the Government is coming up with one after another statement laying thrust on tapping eco-tourism potential and on the other side no serious attention is being paid towards finalization of Eco-Tourism Policy”, sources regretted.
Most interesting aspect is that eco-tourism was included as one of the strategies in the J&K State Forest Policy 2011 and under its Section 4.13 steps have been explained to promote and popularize eco-tourism in the State. However, this aspect of the Forest Policy has largely remained un-implemented till date, sources further said. “Had this provision been implemented eco-tourism potential could have been tapped up to large extent during the past six years”, they added.
Stating that without vision document eco-tourism potential cannot be tapped while protecting the aesthetic landscapes, sources said that in the draft of the policy strategy required to be adopted and activities which can be of immense help in promoting eco-tourism have been defined. Even the role of the Project Implementation Agencies has explicitly been defined in the draft.
In the draft, activities like nature camps, home-stays and eco-friendly accommodation, trekking and nature walks, adventure sports and herbal eco-tourism etc have proposed.
For identification of sites and development of facilities, the draft policy lays thrust on encouraging use of eco-friendly materials naturally available in the locality for construction, avoiding use of concrete structures and buildings at eco-tourism sites, providing appropriate facilities to meet the basic needs of stay of the tourists, promotion of renewable energy systems and water harvesting as far as possible and ensuring compliance with the provisions of J&K Forest (Conservation) Act while developing facilities in connection with eco-tourism.
For effective management and regulation of eco-tourism activities, the draft policy has proposed framing of Eco-Tourism Coordination Committee and project implementing agencies.
“If the Government is really interested in tapping eco-tourism potential it should not waste any more time and get the draft policy finalized so that steps are initiated on the ground”, sources said.
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