The state government is committed to increase the forest cover of the state for which active cooperation and support of each one was solicited. This was stated by the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the state level wildlife week celebration function held at Janjehli in Mandi district today.He said that the nine month tenure of the state government had been full of achievements and the government has also succeeded in getting developmental projects worth about Rs. 9000 crores sanctioned from the Union government. This had been possible due to the benevolence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that not only this, the Union government had provided all possible help to the state during the recent untimely snowfall in Lahaul Spiti, where hundreds of stranded people were airlifted by seven helicopters provided by the Centre.The Chief Minister said that the today the foundation stone of developmental projects worth Rs. 55 crore were laid which would open new vistas of progress and prosperity in the area. The tourist culture centre to be constructed at Deemkataroo would give big boost to the tourism development in the state. He said the area had immense tourism potential and it would be harnessed in a planed and sustainable way. He said that Janjehli had been brought under eco-tourism project to develop the area as a major tourist destination.He said that the state government would develop Chanshal in Shimla district, Bir-Billing in Kangra district and Janjehli in Mandi district from eco-tourism point of view. The bus service from Bhullar to Manali flagged off by him today would help the tourists to visit both these tourist destinations with ease. He said that Rs. 41 crores had been sanctioned for Balichowki area for providing water supply scheme and a bus stand would also be constructed at Janjehli in near future.
Jai Ram Thakur said that efforts would be made to construct the helipad of Janjehli soon to facilitate the high end tourist to visiting this beautiful place. He said that in the coming times, efforts would also be made to link Janjehli with heli taxi service.Earlier, the Chief Minister performed bhoomi pujan for improvement and upgradation of Jughand road (stage-II) in Gram Panchayat Dhar-Jarol, improvement and upgradation of link road to Dhar (stage-II) in Gram Panchayat Dhar-Jarol, construction of Kuthah–Bakhrwal road (stage-I) in Gram Panchayat Tungadhar and improvement and upgradation of Kuthah-Tungadhar road (stage-II) to be constructed by spending an amount of Rs. 345.45 lakh, Rs. 117.67 lakh, Rs. 106.37 lakh and Rs. 286.61 lakh respectively.He also laid foundation stone of irrigation scheme Janjehli to Lambathach at Janjehli to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 146.05 lakh and inaugurated newly created PWD Division Seraj at Janjehli and also laid foundation stone of PWD office building to be constructed at a cost Rs. 230.66 lakh. He laid foundation stones of bio-diversity park at Bullah, wildlife interpretation centre of Shikari Devi wildlife sanctuary at Bullah and new building of Govt. Sec. Secondary School Sangalwara to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 88 lakh, Rs 1.5 crore and Rs 85.77 lakh respectively.The Chief Minister laid foundation stone of augmentation of various water supply schemes in Janjehli area at Dheemkataroo, IPH inspection Hut at Khanukhali and tourism culture centre at Dheemkataroo to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 7.78 crore, Rs 1.75 crore and Rs.25.18 crore respectively.He laid foundation stone of science lab of GSSS Janjehli to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 132.81 lakh.The Chief Minister launched the website of the State wildlife wing of the State Forest Department on the occasion which contains detailed information about various birds and wildlife centuries in the state. He also released booklet and documentary brought out by the State Forest Department.
Jai Ram Thakur honoured the winner students of painting, slogan writing, essay writing, photography, landscape and other activities organised by the Forest department.The Chief Minister announced Rs. one crore for science lab GSSS Jarol, Rs. 31 lakh for various link roads, 33KV sub-station at Janjehli, upgradation of Primary School Katroo to Middle School, to provide rupees two lakh each for construction of Mahila Mandal Bhawan of seven Mahila Mandals of the area. He also announced HRTC Sub Depot at Janjehli.He also provided free gas connections under the Mukhya Mantri Grihini Suvidha Yojana on this occasion.The Chief Minister was honoured by various social and cultural associations on his arrival to the Janjehli area.Irrigation and Public Health Minister Mohinder Singh Thakur said that the State Government was forging ahead on the path of progress and prosperity under the able leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. The government was laying special stress on conservation of rain water and soil which was also the objective of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.He said that the state government had succeeded in getting sanctioned Rs. 798 crore projects for remodelling of old water supply schemes in the state from the government of India. He said that Rs. 1688 crore horticulture project had also been sanctioned by the Centre for the State.Transport and Forest Minister Govind Singh Thakur said that the state had immense forest resources which needed to be conserved by each one of us. He said that the beauty of our state lies in the pristine ecology and one could not even imagine of Himachal without its forests and forest wealth.PCCF Wildlife R.C. Kang detailed various activities being organised during the wildlife week throughout the State.MLA Rakesh Jamwal, Chairman, MILKFED Nihal Chand Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary Ram Subhag Singh, PCCF Ajay Sharma were also present on the occasion among others.