Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 21: Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Choudhary Lal Singh today said that Surinsar and Mansar gardens are one of the finest tourist destinations in the State, adding that the Government is keen to equip such spots with modern infrastructural edifice to facilitate the tourist thronging these places from across the country.
This was stated by the Minister while chairing a meeting of officers at Civil Secretariat, here today.
Commissioner/Secretary Forests, Ecology and Environment Sourabh Bhagat, Chief Wildlife Warden Manoj Pant, Conservator East Circle Kh Qamar-ud-Din, Regional Director Wildlife Dr V S Sinthil Kumar, Secretary Technical Forest Department Ramesh Kumar, Director Finance besides other senior officers of Forests and Wildlife were present on the occasion.
Choudhary Lal Singh directed the Wildlife Department to purchase two steamers, one four-seater for Surinsar lake and other ten seater for Mansar lake, for anti-poaching activities.
The Minister directed the officers to prepare a comprehensive plan for creating more tourist facilities at Thein Dam in Basholi, Jastrota Talab in Kathua, Mansar Lake in Samba and Surinsar in Jammu so that the visiting tourists do not face any inconvenience on this account.
Lal Singh, while highlighting Government’s initiatives towards tourism promotion in the State, informed that Government has earmarked Rs. 1.27 crore for conservation of wetlands of Pangong Tso and Tso Morari in Leh.
The Minister said that the State Government is committed to revive tourism industry which is essential for sustainable development of the State. He said that tourism has contributed immensely to the growth of the State, adding that multiple beneficial aspects of domestic and international tourism have special relevance to the socio-economic development of the State.
Referring to the great tourism potential of Kashmir valley, the Minister said the “Paradise on Earth” is blessed with attractive spots that require immediate up-gradation. He underscored the need for formulating a viable and relevant strategy for sustainable tourism development of the Valley.
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