Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Choudhary Lal Singh Saturday said that various ambitious projects are in pipeline to bring Basholi town on the tourism map of the country.This was stated by the Minister while addressing a large gathering at PWD Rest House in Basholi.He said that concerted efforts are being made to develop Basholi town on modern lines for creating world class tourist infrastructure and better amenities for the people. He informed that the state Government has submitted projects worth Rs 180 Crore to the central Government for the development of Ranjit Sagar Dam as major tourist destination.Choudhary Lal Singh said that Basohli area has ample potential for cultivation of medicinal plants and exhorted upon the farmers and youth to take up cultivation of these plants to tap their financial benefits .He also informed that requisite steps will be taken to promote Art and Pashmina of Basholi .
Highlighting the steps underway to give fillip to ecotourism in the state the Minister informed that “The Zoo” (Shivalik Biological Park) will come up in Nagrota belt of Jammu district at a cost of Rs 80 crore, which will be funded by the Central government.During his visit to the area Choudhary Lal Singh also inspected various nurseries and other assets of the forest department .He said that instructions have been issued to the officers of Forest Department to maintain and update comprehensive data regarding the forest cover in the state . He directed for taking up massive plantation drives to improve the green cover and stressed on developing ornamental and medicinal plants.Earlier, Choudhary Lal Singh also inaugurated staff quarters complex at Sub-District Hospital, Basholi.During his visit the Minister met several deputations who apprised him with their demands pertaining to upgradation of roads, lanes and drains, regular supply of drinking water, supply of ration as per scale fixed by the Government.
Choudhary Lal Singh directed the concerned officers to solve the genuine demands of the people at the earliest so that they do not face any inconvenience.Responding to the demands projected by the locals of the area, the Minister asked Principal Chief Conservator Forests to open one timber depot at Mahanpur in Basholi for the convenience of the general masses.Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, A K Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests Eco and Tourism A K Gupta, Chairman Pollution Control Board Abdul Razak, Deputy Commissioner Kathua Romesh Kumar, Director Environment O P Sharma, Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu Roshan Jaggi, Managing Director State Forest Corporation, Arun Tickoo, Director Soil Conservation, J&K Ravi Kesar besides other senior officers of RDD, R&B, Forests, PHE and PDD accompanied the Minister during his visit.