Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 24: Minister for Forests and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmed today said that the Poonch city forests would be developed as eco-tourism destination on society mode with a project cost of Rs 164.25 crore.
Reviewing the overall functioning of the Poonch, Rajouri, Nowshera, Reasi and Mahore forest divisions, at a high level meeting, the Minister said that department has already completed an eco-tourism project at Dera Ki Gali which has started producing dividends.
The Minister asked the forest functionaries to prepare Detailed Project Report within three months so that the creation of infrastructure could be started without disturbing the ecological system as necessary under eco-tourism promotion. He said the project would be executed under society mode that provides for the involvement of the local populace as main stakeholders.
The eco-tourism project for the hill top overlooking the Poonch Township with dense forest cover envisages construction of eco-friendly tourist huts, walking path and view points.
The Minister asked the department functionaries to start the work on tourist hut and install solar lights for the illumination of the area.
During the meeting, the construction of tourist building at Shahdara Sharief also came under discussion. The Minister asked the officers to ensure that the upcoming building will present an aesthetic look in consonance with the surrounding environment. He said that the building should have adequate boarding and lodging facilities for the tourist coming to the revered Shahdara Sharief shrine.
The meeting was informed that a total of 4 lakh saplings have been planted in Jammu West Circle covering an area of 865 ha during monsoon season under the flagship CAMPA scheme . In addition to this, another 0.78 lakh sapling were planted over an area of 224 hectors under District and State sector as well the circle. It was also informed that since a major part of the circle fall in sub-temperate zone, the 8 lakh saplings would also be planted during the current winter season in the Circle.
Commissioner Secretary Forest, Aijaz Iqbal, Principal Chief Conservator, Forest Vinod Ranjan, Chief Wild Life Warden, A. K. Singh, Chief Conservator Forest, Ravi Kesar, Conservator of Forest (CAMPA), L. K. Sharma, Conservator of Forest, R. S. Jasrotia and Conservator of Wild Life, Asif Mehmood and other Senior officers of the West Circle, Rajouri were present on the occasion.
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