Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 24: After laying foundation stone of Eco-Park at Peer Ki Gali on historical Mughal Road, the Minister for Forest, Mian Altaf Ahmad today inaugurated similar facility at City Forest Poonch.
In phase 1st Rs. 38.50 lakh are being spent on the Eco-Park at Peer-ki-Gali, apart from Rs. 90 lakh earmarked for development of view points, while Rs. 10 lakh have been expended on the Eco-Park spread over 269 hectare developed at Poonch and Rs. 20 lakh have been earmarked for construction of Sukh Sarai, Nandan Sarai. The Eco Park Poonch will have all facility including cafeteria, rest house and other public utility services.
The Minister asked the Forest Department not to alter the natural beauty of the area while creating tourist related infrastructure in the Eco-park at Peer-ki-Gaali. He asked them to ensure that work is completed as early as possible. He said the new tourist destination will emerge the most beautiful and attractive destination for tourist of the State as well as the tourists coming from other parts of the country on the Mughal Road.
While speaking after inaugurating the park at Poonch, the Minister said that Forest Department has initiated measures for creating entertainment infrastructure like Eco-park in Poonch and Rajouri district. He said the park is first of its kind in Poonch district, adding that efforts are on to identify and develop similar facilities in other parts also for which instruction has been given to the concerned authorities.
The Minister said opening of Mughal road will play an important role in the development of Poonch and Rajouri districts. He said special attention is being given for the promotion of eco tourism despite limitation of funds. He said Deera Gaali is also emerging attractive tourist destination.
Responding to various demands of the public, the Minister said that instruction have been given for making timber available to the consumers from July 1. Regarding the incidents of man-animal conflicts, the Minister said that the field functionaries of Wild Life Department have been equipped with necessary gear while appealing the people to report about movement of wild animal in their area.
Principal Chief Conservator Forest, Vinod Ranjan Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Sajjad Khan, besides senior officers of Wild Life Department were present on the occasion.
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