Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 21: Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmad, along with Minister for Housing and Horticulture, Raman Bhalla and senior officers of Forest Department, today visited Bathindi and took stock of the CAMPA works, initiatives taken for conservation of forest and checking of forest land encroachment besides progress on Bathindi-Punjpir road.
The Minister said that an eco-tourism resort would be developed at Bathindi and directed authorities of Forest Department to come up with a proposal for construction of an inspection hut in the area.
The Minister said that, under CAMPA, Rs. 2 .65 crore are being spent on infrastructural development under the forest division Jammu aimed to ensure protection of forests and forest land.
The Minister was informed that work on 22 forest closures has been completed while 7600 rft chain link fencing, particularly on encroachment prone areas, has also been done during current fiscal so far. He was told that three encroachment bids have been foiled by the department and FIR against encroachers has also been lodged. Rs. 9 lakh are also being spent under State sector for conservation of forest and protection of environment, it was revealed.
The Minister said that protection of forest land is among the major responsibilities of Forest Department and directed concerned officers to mobilize all available human resources to ensure protection of every inch of forest land in the area. He said fencing of forests on one hand protect the forest land on other hand will allow natural trees to grow fast and fully.
Mian Altaf said the area has vast potential for promotion of tourism activities and said that every possibility would be explored for creation of tourist related infrastructure there. He said the Bathindi-Punjpir circuit once completed will transform the outlook of the area and people living there would be the most benefitted by it.
Raman Bhalla seeking more projects for the area said that area is right place for promotion of tourism activities. He said starting of tourism activities in the area will go a long way in improving the economic status of the people living there.
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