The Craignano hills, a little beyond Mashobra on outskirts of Shimla town would soon flourish with tulip gardens and developed as a major camping site. Craignano, a placed named after a town in Italy, is likely to come up as a major tourist attraction. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today laid foundation stone of Rs 1.83 crore ‘Nature Park’ amidst the Deodar and Oak forests at Craignano.Additional Chief Secretary Shri Tarun Kapoor said that around ten hectares of land would be utilised by the forest department for setting up nature park along-with basic amenities for tourists which include an amphitheatre, a cafeteria, tented accommodation for visitors, children park, water bodies, strolling trails etc.He said that the department also proposes to erect a bust or statue of Lord Buddha amidst the park.The Chief Minister who also visited the old Craignano rest house directed for its renovation. He said that besides tulip flowers, a rose garden and other native and exotic species should also be planted and taken care of. He stressed upon planting broader sapling and said that the area, which was quite rich in flora and fauna, would certainly attract visitors and locals. He also planted a sapling of Chinar.A similar nature park was also to come at Kanlog on which a sum of rupees four crore was being spent.
The nature park, besides cafeteria would also have parking facilities and walking trails.The Chief Minister also laid foundation stone of additional building of Block Development Office at Mashobra.Earlier in the morning, the Chief Minister flagged off the fire tenders from CTO, Shimla to be deployed in far-flung belts of the State. He also inspected the old Bantony castle building and said that it would be developed from tourism point of view. The building will house a library, a museum besides other basic amenities. The lawn attached with the building would also be developed into a park.While talking to the media on sidelines of the function at CTO, the Chief Minister said that the strong based political party always declares it Chief Ministers candidate before elections, adding that the political parties which have doubt on their cadre strength and standing never dares to do so. He also said no one creating rift between the government and the party organisation would be tolerated.Forest Minister Shri Thakur Singh Bharmouri, MLA Shri Anirudh Singh, Mayor Shri Sanjay Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Shri Tikendar Panwar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Shri SS. Negi, PCCF Wild Life Shri G. S. Goraya, Chief Conservator Shri Nagesh Guleria were also present on the occasion amongst others.