Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 29: A deputation of Sarv Shakti Sewak Sanstha Mata Machail Shrine met Chief Conservator Forests (CCF), Jammu and apprised him of the problems being faced by the inhabitants of the area of Sub-Division Paddar of District Kishtwar.
The deputation was led by Advisor Ram Singh Chauhan and President Paddar Welfare Front Mohinder Rana and accompanied by Ved Raj Khajuria Vice President and Sunil Sharma.
It was brought into the notice of CCF that at Gulab Garh Paddar the Department has opened a depot for providing wooden sleepers to the farmers for construction of houses at the rates fixed by the Department which are equal to the rates available at Jammu, Udhampur, Doda and Kishtwar District Headquarters whereas the fact is that Paddar Sub-Division comprising of 32 Revenue villages and more than a dozen hamlets consists of BPL, Antodaya, SC and ST like most poor people and cannot afford economically to purchase wood at Paddar equal to the rates mentioned at above District Headquarters and in fact it is the property of Paddar people who on the basis of natural justice must get the same at cheaper rates. To add to the agony, said wood depot very remains out of stocks.
The CCF was further appraised that Forest Department does not have any infra-structure like VIP rooms or dormitories to give shelter to the lakhs of people including devotees, tourists and trekkers to the Shrine Mata Machail during annual Yatra months in July and August every year. The CCF was requested to create infra-structure on forest land available within half a kilometre around Machail Shrine. He was also requested to improve the VIP bungalow at Chishoti Paddar besides erecting bath rooms and toilets around every halting stations enroute Machail Shrine in general public interest to make the stations popular and interested for devotees also the trekkers and tourists so as to boost tourism in the Sub-Division.
The CCF was also apprised that in compartment Number 11 of Nagsen Range has suffered huge loss which needs immediate cognizance at the hands of authorities.
The CCF listened to the grievances patiently and assured to take effective steps without loss of time.
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