Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Apr 11: Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Mian Altaf today said that Government has taken several measures to promote eco-tourism on historical Mughal road, adding that pre-fab huts for tourists would be installed at selective locations with direct involvement of local people aimed to boost their economy while the Forest Department will provide them necessary facilities, guidance and logistic support. The schemes have been first time introduced by Forest Department in the State.
The Minister was addressing a public gathering at Rajouri after inaugurating new Forest Office Complex, Range Office, Rest House and Natural Interpreter Center (NIC) completed at an accumulated cost of Rs. 50 lakh at Rajouri today.
The Minister also took stock of ongoing works of Wildlife Warden Office Complex and a Hut coming up at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh.
Among others, Principal Chief Conservator Forests, Vinod Ranjan, Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Saugat Biswas, Chief Conservator Forests, Ravi Kaisar, Conservator Forests Wildlife, Asif Mehmood Sagar, Joint Director Soil Conservation, Sameer Bharti, SP, Rajouri, Mubashir Latifi and DFO, Nowshera, Mohammad Rafiq were present on the occasion.
Giving details of the initiatives, the Minister said that in view of the potential and tourism importance of Mughal road, the department has decided to provide pre-fab huts, with two room accommodation, kitchen and bathroom facilities, to the locals of Poonch, Rajouri and Shopian for creating temporary accommodation for the tourists near Pir ki Gali, Nandansar and Hirpora.
He said the department will provide pre-fab huts material, costing Rs. 80 thousand, per unit, to the interested people besides water, electricity and other basic facilities required for running the activity. He appealed people to come forward and take the benefit of the this scheme.
The Minister said that this will on one hand improve the economic status of the locals of Poonch, Rajouri and Shopian districts and on other hand will help Government in promoting eco-tourism, preserving of forest wealth and wildlife in the area. He said installing pre-fab huts will neither affect the environment nor disturb the wildlife habitations.
Mian Altaf said that Nature Interpretation Centre (NIC) will become hub of the information source required for research projects and the scholars, teachers, forest officials and students will be the most beneficiaries of this center.
Underlining need for acquainting people about the importance of forest, wildlife, mountains and glaciers, the Minister asked the authorities of Forest Department to launching a massive public awareness campaign in the areas near forests and wildlife habitations. He said people have important role in protecting forests, wildlife and environment.
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