Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 19: The Minister for Forests and Environment, Mian Altaf Ahmad today inaugurated an eco tourism hut at Mansar constructed under CAPMA scheme at a cost of Rs. 39.90 lakh. The hut is equipped with all facilities, including lodging and boarding.
The MLA, Ramnagar Harshdev Singh, Chief Wildlife Warden A.K Singh and other senior officers of Wildlife Department were present on the occasion.
The Minister said that the Government has initiated several measures for promotion of tourism sector in the State as creation of tourism related infrastructure at tourist places has become imperative to meet the needs of the tourists.
Mian Altaf said that Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah was keen to tap the tourism potential in the State, adding that a massive campaign has been launched at Government level to woo the foreign as well as domestic tourists to the State.
Describing tourism as back bone of the economy of the State, the Minister said that a large population of the State was associated with this lucrative industry. He said the people have to play their role in the promotion of tourism by way of extending all possible assistance to the tourists during their stay in the State.
Terming tourism a viable economic activity, the Minister said that 70 percent households in Ladakh are offering paying guest facilities and were earning well. He said on the one hand it generates income for locals and on other hand it helps in meeting the accommodation needs for the tourists. He asked the people to offer paying guest services to the tourists to create a viable source of income.
The Minister said that the people living near the forests have to play their role in the protection of forests, which in other words will ensure safety of forests. He said encroachment on forests has been contained to a large extent with active support of the people.
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