Minister for Forests, Environment and Ecology Choudhary Lal Singh today kick started macadamization work on Lakhanpur- Vijaypur stretch of Jammu- Pathankote National Highway.The macadamization work on 62 KM stretch from Lakhanpur to Vijaypur will be executed by NHAI at an estimated cost of Rs 42 Crore and completed in a period of 6 months.Addressing locals, Lal Singh said that J&K has huge tourist potential and to attract more tourists quality road network is essential. It not only improves connectivity but also makes journey hassle free and less time consuming. He further informed that Rs 400 Crore works have been taken up under PMGSY and CRF to strengthen the road network in Kathua district.Correlating tourism promotion with the forest protection and environment conservation, the Minister said that it is high time to conserve the water bodies, forests, endangered wildlife species and biophysical environment which are the main attraction for tourists visiting the state. He further added that Forest department is playing vital role in conserving the environment by launching plantation drives, minimizing man-animal conflict, placing restraints on activities that cause environmental degradation, creating awareness of various environmental problems and protecting wildlife so that tourism gets a fillip.
Regarding encroachment and other illegal activities on forest land, Lal Singh said that 125000 Kanals has been retrieved and the government will leave no stone unturned in securing the forests.Highlighting the tourist potential of Ranjit Sagar Dam in Basohli, the Minister said that sate of the art amusement park, water sports activities and steamers to ferry tourists are few of the initiatives which will soon commence to bring Basohli on the tourist map of the country. He said that promotion of tourism around Ranjit Sagar Dam will not only bring good fortune for J&K but Himachal and Punjab will also be benefited.Later, the Minister also flagged off a vehicle displaying Swachh Bharat slogans and messages for creating awareness about sanitation among local communities & township. The vehicle of the MC Lakhanpur will tour all the wards of Lakhanpur town as part of Swachhta campaign.Among others present on the occasion were Director Social Forestry, Suresh Gupta; CCF Jammu, Farooq Gillani; Regional Wild Life warden, Senthil Kumar; CF East Jammu, Kh Qamardin; RD PCB Jammu, Showkat Choudhary; RD Social Forestry, Roop Avtar Kour; DD FPF, Mohammad Rafi, DFOs, EO MC Lakhanpur and civil society members.