Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Choudhary Lal Singh today said that various ambitious projects are in pipeline to bring Basohli town on the tourism map of the country.This was stated by the Minister while addressing a Public Grievances Redressal Camp at Mahanpur in Basholi, here today.Choudhary Lal Singh said that concerted efforts are being made to develop Basohli town on modern lines with basic amenities like better road connectivity, uninterrupted power supply, safe drinking water, healthcare facilities and better education infrastructure. 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.
The Minister 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 huge market.
He also informed that requisite steps will be taken to promote Art and Pashmina of Basohli.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 120 crore, which will be funded by the Central Government.During his visit to the Mahanpur, 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.Later, the Minister met with several deputations of Mahanpur 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.Singh directed the concerned officers to solve the genuine demands of the people at the earliest so that they do not face any inconvenience.