Vice Chairman, H.P State Forest Corporation Kewal Singh Pathania has welcomed the decision of the World Heritage Site Committee to give status of World Heritage Site to the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) adding that it would give a new dimension to the tourism sector in the State. He congratulated Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh for this remarkable achievement. He said that this had been possible due to consistent efforts of the State government, especially Shri Virbhadra Singh who as a Chief Minister always strived for the preservation and protection of the of forests, wildlife and heritage in the State. He also congratulated Forest Minister Shri Thakur Singh Bharmauri for this achievement.
Shri Pathania said that with the status of world heritage site to the Park, the tourism sector in the State would be strengthened and local people would also be benefited as they would get ample opportunities for self-employment. He said that there would be no dislocation of the families/villages living in the Park core and their rights would also stay protected. He said that State Government had taken many initiatives for protection and conservation of the precious environment.