Minister for Forests, Environment and Ecology Ch Lal Singh today held a public meeting at Basohli and took stock of the problems of the people here.Deputations from Panchayats Plahi, Nagrota, Palak, Kakdera, Jandrota, Kund and Preta apprised the minister with their demands and problems.Giving a patient to the demands pertaining to augmentation of drinking water supply, power supply and streamlining of ration, upgradation of other infrastructure, the Minister assured the people that their issues will be redressed on priority.Speaking on the occasion, Singh highlighted various welfare schemes of the central and state Government which proved to be the game-changers in uplifting the socio-economic conditions of the people.He exhorted upon the people to actively partake in the developmental process to ensure that the works are completed in a time bound manner.
He also said that forests should be preserved and officials should mobilize people for its preservation .He announced that old Hospital Building at Basohli will be handed over to Eco Task Force (ETF) as they are assigned with the task of restoring Forests in Basohli . He further announced Rs 1 crore for plantation from Basohli to Sheetal Nagar.Emphasizing on revival of Pashmina industry in Basohli, Singh said that this sector can provide self employment avenues to the locals adding that concerted efforts shall be made to preserve and promote the Basohli Pashmina to make it an economically viable activity for the artisans of the area.Earlier, the Minister visited the proposed site of Forest Guest House at Panager where other tourist amenities are also proposed to be developed for giving fillip to tourism in Basohli.