Secretary Tourism Rigzin Sampheal along with Director Sericulture Gulzar Ahmad Shabnum today kick-started a pilot ‘Seri-Tourism’ project at Jammu Tawi Golf Course (JTGC) Sidhra by planting highly improved ornamental mulberry saplings.On the occasion, Secretary Tourism said that the Model Mulberry Garden coming up adjacent to the turf of the golf course in a well-designed fashion shall prove a green destination to fascinate the golfers as well as the visitors to the area.Lauding the support of Sericulture Department in formulation and execution of the novel project, he said that completion of such projects shall give impetus to the promotion of both the sectors directly involved with the livelihood of the people.He said that Food Craft Institute at Jagti Jammu is also being covered under Seri-Tourism by way of mulberry plantation. “The success of this project could encourage extension of the programme to other tourism destinations across the State in years to come,” Sampheal said, adding that Seri-tourism and eco-tourism shall go all together to fetch more nature lovers to the State.Director Sericulture enumerating various facets of Seri-Tourism said that it shall open new areas of entertainment for the tourists as well as creating more green reserves for the commercial activities under the Sericulture sector.
He said that one thousand mulberry saplings are being planted in the garden and an equal number alongside the approaches and other patches of the Course. He further said that the Sericulture Department is also exploring other joint ventures, where eco-conservation and promotion of sericulture will go side by side.Shabnam said that the Department shall also be supplementing the efforts for the preservation of age-old heritage of the State. He said that the Department shall be extending its support to any sector having relevance to sericulture activities.Secretary JTGC also spoke on the occasion and elaborated on the various components of the pilot project.Project Executive Jammu, Javid Ahmad, District Sericulture Officer Jammu, Farhat Abbas and other officers of Sericulture and Tourism Departments were also present on the occasion.