Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 11: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today stressed on maintaining balance between development and environmental requirements to protect State’s natural grandeur and heavenly beauty.
Taking review of the performance and achievements of the Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) and Mansbal Development Authority (MDA) in the two separate meetings, the Chief Minister said, “in order to sustain the tourism glory of the State ”we have to conserve and preserve the eco-balance and biodiversity of the State”.
The Chief Minister said that focussing attention of protecting water bodies is also of equal significance and the Tourism Development Authorities have a special role in conserving environment alongwith creating necessary tourist infrastructure.
The Chief Minister gave nod to the annual plan of Rs. 4.5 crores for Pahalgam Development Authority and Rs. 2 crore for Mansbal Development Authority.
Omar Abdullah highlighted the potential of Mansbal lake as an ideal water sports spot and asked for its harnessing. He asked the Tourism Department to take necessary measures for making Mansbal a befitting water sports lake.
The Minister for Higher Education, Mohammad Akbar Lone, Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, legislators Mir Rafi Ahmad, Mohammad Ashraf, Nizam-ud-Din, Bashrat Ahmad Bukhari, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B.B. Vyas, Commissioner-Secretary Tourism, Atul Duloo, Chief Executive Officers of Pahalgam and Mansbal Development Authorities, Nisar Ahmad Wani and Nazir Ahmad Mir were present in the meeting besides other senior officers.
In a PowerPoint presentation, the Chief Executive Officer, Mansbal Development Authority stated that about six lakh visitors visited Mansbal last year creating a record.
While providing resume of the achievements registered by Mansbal Development Authority, Nazir Ahmad said that 100% achievement has been registered in achieving the physical and financial targets fixed for various works for the year 2012-13.
He said MDA has successfully completed all important schemes at Mansbal in the fixed timeframe which include Children’s Park, Picnic spots, parking areas, club house, sports centre, administrative block, open air theatre, food court, pedestrian walkway, restoration of heritage sites, etc.
The meeting discussed action taken report on various decisions taken in earlier meetings, proposed works plan for 2013-14, prioritized projects for the current year, CFA schemes and performance for the year 2012-13.
In his PowerPoint presentation the Chief Executive Officer Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA), Nisar Ahmad Wani presented brief on various schemes under execution in Pahalgam and in the villages falling within the jurisdiction of PDA.
The matters regarding development of water supply, shopping complex, walkways, registration of ponies, shifting of pony stand, development of winter sports, beautification of main market, construction of bridges, circuit roads, parking places and sub district hospital were discussed in the meeting in detail.
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