Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 26: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that a well planned strategy is required to boost tourism without compromising with the conservation of environment. He said various modules are available to focus simultaneously on both these important areas.
Addressing Indian Forest Service (IFS) Probationers in an interaction session with them here, the Chief Minister told them that reaching out to the people and making them feel that you are one among them creates lasting impression in the society.
“There are scores of such examples of the officers who served in the State in various capacities and imprinted praiseworthy and lasting impression in the minds of people for the sincere service they rendered”, he added and told the probationers to make this approach the standard of service delivery.
Replying questions of the IFS Probationers on the development of tourism and conservation of environment, the Chief Minister said that the aggressive marketing of tourism by Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh has badly affected the aspect of environment there. He said a balanced approach has to be put in place to develop and market tourism without compromising on the issue of environment importance.
The Chief Minister said that the challenge in Jammu and Kashmir is in the area of creating befitting infrastructure for tourists. “We have underlined strict adherence to environment preservation and protection pre-requisite for infrastructure development in the tourist areas. The monitoring by courts has also narrow down the chances of environment degradation due to infrastructure development”, he said, adding that the construction at tourist places in the past has been haphazard and there is now ban on any construction in tourist places like Pahalgam.
Replying another question, Omar Abdullah said that timber smuggling during the time of militancy in the State has damaged the forest wealth of the State enormously. “Generation of forest takes decades. We have concentrated on rejuvenation of depleted forests under CAMPA and under various State and Centrally sponsored schemes”, he added and said that stringent laws are in force to curb smuggling of timber and illegal felling of trees.
The Chief Minister said that the State Forest Department has identified pastures for grazing of cattle of migratory population. “Measures are in place to maintain these pastures”, he said maintaining that the cattle grazing in the mountains is being allowed in a well-planned and disciplined manner.
In reply to a question about manufacturing of bats and supply of timber, Omar Abdullah said that timber industry and afforestation can thrive side-by-side under a balanced approach towards both. “Using of willow for manufacture of bats and supply of timber for construction purposes should keep pace with the afforestation and conservation process”, he added and said that the State Government is allowing import of timber to relieve the pressure on the local plantation.
On the conservation of Dal and rehabilitation of Dal dwellers, the Chief Minister said that a comprehensive planning has been put in place to address both the issues. He said the aspect of dependence of Dal dwellers on the Lake is being taken care of in the overall rehabilitation policy for these families.
A group of 31 IFS Probationers are on study tour of the State to get appraisal of forest management measures and strategies in place to conserve forest wealth and the environment. The group is first in last 30 years which has visited the State for study tour.
Chief Principal Conservator of Forests, Vinod Ranjan introduced the probationers from various States of India and Nepal to the Chief Minister. Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas and Course Director, Subash Ashtosh were also present on the occasion.
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