Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Choudhary Lal Singh on Sunday said that Rs 100 crore have been earmarked for development of various tourist facilities at the catchment areas of Ranjit Sagar Dam in Basohli.The Minister was addressing a large gathering at Mahanpur after inspecting various development works in the area, here today.The Minister informed that maiden project by the Bani-Basohli Development Authority (BBDA) aims at developing high end logistic and recreational facilities for the tourist at this scenic spot. He said that nature has endowed Bani and Basohli areas with immense natural beauty which needs to be brought on the tourist map to increase tourist footfall in the area.The Minister said present Government has given a boost to tourist activities in Jammu province and vital developmental projects are underway to improve the tourism facilities and focused attention is being laid on the developing other sectors as well.Choudhary Lal Singh said that it was the vision of late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to develop Ranjit Sagar Dam as a major tourist destination and tap the potential of its strategic location near the Lakhanpur border, thus making it easily accessible to tourists from outside the State.
The Minister hoped that improved facilities at Ranjit Sagar Dam would increase tourist footfall in the area thereby enhancing employment opportunities for the local youth as well.Later, Choudhary Lal Singh also visited Rajbagh, Ghati, Palai, Bade Nal, Jakhole, Dhanni and Sait covering Panchayats Forelain East and West, Bothein North and South and Jakhole of Basohli Constituency and inspected various ongoing development works in these areas.Minister directed the concerned officers to gear up their men and machinery in completing all ongoing projects within a stipulated time frame.Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Ravi Kesar, Various Head of the Department of Forest and its allied wings besides other Senior Officers of RDD, PDD and R&B Departments accompanied the Minister.