Minister for Social Welfare and Forests Bali Bhagat Thursday said that Tosamaidan- Sitaharan area has huge tourism potential and it will be exploited to the fullest.The Minister this while addressing a public gathering at Sanghulipora in Budgam district here today.The Minister said that area is bestowed with captivating natural beauty and necessary infrastructure is being created for providing facilities for the visiting tourists. He said the area has also been brought on the tourist map of the State and it is expected that more and more tourists shall visit the place which will increase the business activities in the catchment area.Calling for extending a helping hand in protecting the precious green gold, the Minister said that the Government has taken several steps to preserve forests in the State. He said 6000 kanal encroached forest land has been retrieved within last 4 months adding that the drive shall continue to retrieve every inch of the encroached forest land.
The Minister also spoke about the various State and centrally sponsored welfare schemes launched for the benefit of the people. He said under the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padao’ scheme, 3 districts each of Kashmir and Jammu Divisions shall be covered in the first phase. He also dwelt in detail about the recently launched state sponsored social security scheme ‘Aasra’.Mr. Bhagat directed the concerned for organizing awareness camps to sensitize people about the newly launched welfare schemes in the State so that deserving could avail benefits.Responding to the demands of locals regarding forest clearance for the construction of 5 km road in Toshamadan- Sitaharan area, Mr. Bali Bhagat said that the issue will be taken up in the next Forest Advisory Committee meeting. He said that a Timber Depot would also be established at Sunghlipora for the convenience of the people of area. He also informed that pending pension under various Social Welfare schemes would be released soon. Among others, District Development Commissioner, Budgam and other district officers of Social welfare and forests departments accompanied the Minister.