Excelsior Correspondent
KALAKOTE, Jan 23: Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmad has called upon the Gujjar community to fight for their rights by effectively projecting their demands before the Government.
Speaking at one-day Adbi Conference, organized by Nazir Ahmad Nazir Film Productions and Aadbi Trust here today, Mian Altaf said that the community has many problems and they should fight for getting basic amenities at their habitations by approaching the right forums and convincingly putting forth their cause. “To get the benefits due to community is your right and for that you should struggle jointly to achieve your goals”, the Minister asserted.
More attention would be paid to accelerate development process in Kalakote including up-gradation of existing roads and extending connectivity to unconnected areas by constructing new links.
He assured that the road network up-gradation, PHE and Power issues would be taken up with Chief Minister in consultation with the concerned MLA.
The Minister said that Forest Department would spend Rs 1 crore on conservation of forests and creation of forest related infrastructure in Kalakote constituency. He also announced that the Government has earmarked Rs. 65 lakh for up-gradation of migratory routes being used by nomads.
The renowned scholar of Gojjri language, Dr. Mirza Khan Viqar, besides other prominent writers, literary personalities, management of the Trust and senior officers of district administration were present on the occasion.
Lauding the contribution of Nazir Ahmad Nazir, in promotion of Gojjri language, the Minister said that the pain and agony of the people of Kalakote, particularly Gujjar community, are visible in the writings of this great poet of Kalakote. He appealed participants to take forward the mission started by this great writer.
The Minister said that language is the identity of a community and urged upon the literary organization to work for promotion of this ancient language assuring his full support besides possible help at Government level also.
Maintaining that the Government has laid special focus on the effective implementation of tribal development plans, the Minister said that it would take care that Poonch and Rajouri districts keep pace with the rest of the state on the development front. He also stressed the need for development and conservation of the forests in the twin districts.
The Minister asked the people to ensure protection of forests and forest land from encroachment. He said forests are giving fuel to the people and fodder to their livestock and enjoined upon locals to play their role in forest conservation which will ensure protection of the environment.
Forest Minister said that Rs. 65 lakh are being spent on up-gradation of migratory routes from Thanamandi and Naranag to facilitate safe and hassle free movement of the nomads. He said the villages without electricity would be provided solar lights till these are electrified.
Earlier, the Minister inaugurated a residential quarter of Forest Department at Kalakote completed at a cost of Rs. 12.96 lakh
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