Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today inaugurated the first phase of Kamiyana Hill Top Nature Trail in Village Poabo near Shimla, an ambitious eco-tourism and nature interpretation project developed at a cost of Rs. five crore by the Forest Department.
The project spans nearly 8 hectares and includes a 2.5-kilometre nature trail designed to promote environmental awareness, nature appreciation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable tourism. The trail has been planned with a gradual gradient to ensure comfortable access for visitors of all age groups, including senior citizens and children.
The hilltop location offers magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding Himalayan landscape, including Shali Peak, Mahasu Peak, the Naldehra Horse Trail, Mashobra, Craignano- Nature Park and the Shimla Water Catchment Area. A major attraction of the project is the Vaman Vriksha Mandal, a specially curated bonsai garden featuring approximately forty specimens representing fifteen species.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister announced an allocation of Rs. 5.20 crore for the construction of 16 roads sanctioned under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) in the Kasumpti Assembly Constituency. He said that the State Government is working with honesty, transparency, and a spirit of public service.
The government has undertaken several initiatives to strengthen the rural economy, he added. He said that the State Government has significantly enhanced the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for naturally grown wheat, maize, barley, turmeric, and ginger, benefiting thousands of farmers across the State.
The MSP for wheat has been increased from Rs. 60 to Rs. 80 per kg, maize from Rs. 40 to Rs. 50 per kg, and barley of Pangi Valley, Chamba district from Rs. 60 to Rs. 80 per kg. The MSP for raw turmeric has been raised substantially from Rs. 90 to Rs. 150 per kg, while naturally grown ginger will now be procured by the State Government at Rs. 30 per kg.
Over the last three years, the support price of cow milk has increased from Rs. 32 to Rs. 61 per litre, while buffalo milk prices have enhanced from Rs. 47 to Rs. 71 per litre, he said. The Chief Minister said that despite winning only 98 out of the State’s 251 Zila Parishad seats, the BJP continues to spread misinformation just to mislead the public.
He added that in the recently concluded Panchayati Raj elections, the Congress secured victory in 29 of the 53 urban local bodies, while the BJP won only 21. A large number of Pradhans and Up-Pradhans aligned with the Congress ideology were also elected in panchayats across the State.
He alleged that the BJP attempted to create an atmosphere of uncertainty through the misuse of money power, but with the blessings of the people and the deities of the State, the strength of Congress legislators has once again reached 40 during the by-elections.
He also highlighted that the Congress had registered a historic victory in the Shimla Municipal Corporation elections. Speaking on the occasion, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh said that, with the support of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, no stone is being left unturned in ensuring the development of the Kasumpti Assembly Constituency.
He stated that 120 roads have been sanctioned under the FRA in the surrounding panchayats, while 124 roads have already been metalled and upgraded. He added that tourism is witnessing steady growth in the State and that the development of the Kamyana Trail will benefit local residents by creating employment and self-employment opportunities. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Dr. Sanjay Sood and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.