Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Choudhary Lal Singh today informed that Government has earmarked Rs. 63 lakh for renovation of ancient ponds of Jastrota Fort, adding that instructions has been issued to the soil conservation department to revive the pristine glory of the ponds earlier built by Maharaja Jastrota during his regime in the area.The Minister passed direction to the executing agency after inspecting the ongoing renovation work of two ancient ponds near Jastrota Fort, here today.Chief Wildlife Warden Manoj Panth, Director Social Forestry Ashwani Gupta, Managing Director SFC Suresh Gupta, Joint Director Soil Conservation Pawan Khudyar, Regional Director PCB Ch Showkat Ali, Assistant Commissioner Development, Rajiv Khajuria besides other senior officers of R&B, R&B, RDD accompanied the Minister.Choudhary Lal Singh asked the Soil Conservation Department to gear up their men and machinery in completing the ongoing renovation work of both the ancient ponds. He said that Government is making all out efforts to boost tourism at the Jastrota Fort adding that for this purpose instructions has been issued to the concerned departments to create all basic amenities so that the visiting tourists enjoy their spare time with full joy.
The Minister also directed Social Forestry to remove bushes in and around the Jasrota Fort and plant ornamental, fruit and Chinar trees in open spaces for providing good and attracting environ to the people at the site. He also directed to construct view points and garden near the Fort.Later, the Minister also inaugurated 12 lanes at Ratti, Jakhole in Dhanni area, constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 80 lakh by Rural Development Department.Interacting with the people of Dhanni village, Choudhary Lal Singh said that Government has prepared a comprehensive plan to develop every corner of the Dhanni village with all basic amenities like adequate drinking water, uninterrupted power supply, road connectivity, health and education besides lanes and drains.Responding to the local demand, the Minister asked PHE to install hand pumps in water deficient areas and upgrade existing transformers. He asked the RDD to prepare DPR for construction of left out lanes and drains in the Dhanni village and submit the same for funding for early start of the projects.Choudhary Lal Singh also planted various plants in the Sports Ground in Baira.Earlier, at Kootah in Kathua, Choudhary Lal Singh inspected the fencing work of the Social Forestry Land and directed the officers to fence the land belonging to the department and said any encroachment on the Forest Land and involvement of any officer in facilitating encroachment would not be tolerated at any level.