Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 15: Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Choudhary, Lal Singh, has said that Gharana and Suchetgarh villages in R S Pura would be developed as major border tourist destinations for the tourists who throng the State from across the world.
This was stated by the Minister while interacting with the locals after inspecting the ongoing projects at Gharana and Suchetgarh here today.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, A K Singh, Chief Wild Life Warden Suresh Chug, Director Social Forestry Arun Kumar Tikoo, Chief Conservator of Forests Roshan Jaggi and Chief Conservator Wild Life and Eco-Tourism A K Gupta besides other senior officers of Wild Life Protection Department and Revenue accompanied the Minister.
Lal Singh said that Government endeavors to promote varied tourism activities in Gharana and Suchetgarh like other parts of the State. He said developing border tourism in the areas is a remarkable step of the Government which would boost local economy to a great extent. He said pilgrims are ambassadors for our State and the Government wants to send a message of peaceful atmosphere and cultural harmony across the country through them.
The Minister further said that the Government would restore old colonial Octroi building to a gallantry gallery besides constructing multipurpose hall, children’s park and border meeting post at Suchetgarh border under Himalayan circuit of Swadesh Bharat Scheme of Central Government. The other places of historical and cultural importance including Jio Pota Ghat, Baba Chamliyal and Gharana Wetland would be included in these circuits for tourism promotion in the State, he reiterated.
Lal Singh said that Government has already started several works in these areas including construction of road to BSF, dormitory, pick and choose restaurant, watch towers, tourist facilitation centre, installation of fountains, landscaping, pathways, shelter places at temple and Peer Baba, development of children parks at R. S. Pura, improvement of track up to Gharana bird sanctuary and toilet block of old Railway Station at Octorio Post in Suchetgarh.
The Minister said that Suchetgarh, named after Raja Suchet Singh, brother of Maha Raja Gulab Singh, has great historical importance.
He informed that Gharana wetland (meaning welcome home) is paradise of migratory birds. Gharana and its adjoining wetlands of Makwal, Kukdian, Abdullian and Pargwal every year receive about 10000 to 20000 migratory birds in winter.
Lal Singh directed the revenue officers to submit the record of State land of Gharana village within week time so that encroachment by illegal occupants is removed for development of Wild Life Sanctuary there.
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