Rs 5 cr approved for conservation of Surinsar lake

Minister for Tourism and Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora today said that Centre has agreed to sanction 3 Tourism Mega Projects (TMP) of Rs. 50 crore each to the state during current financial year.

He said these three mega projects have been identified as Sofi Circuit for Kashmir, Spiritual Circuit for Jammu and Buddhist Circuit for Leh, and DPRs of two projects have already been formulated and finalized and the DPR of third project is in final stage.

This was stated by the Minister in a media interaction at Mansar, where he inaugurated Baisakhi festival, organized by Tourism Department in collaboration with J&K Cultural Academy.

The festival was attended by a large number of tourists and locals. The reputed cultural artists of the State presented variety of cultural programmes depicting rich cultural heritage and varied beauty of all the regions in the state. These cultural programmes mesmerized the audience and received applause from everyone present on the occasion.

The Minister said that main objective of organizing such festivals is to provide entertainment to the visiting tourists besides publicizing new destinations.

The Minister said that Centre has approved funding of Rs. 5 crore for conservation and development of Surinsar lake, adding that approval for another project of Rs. 5 crore for development and conservation of Mansar Lake is expected. He said after completing all codal formalities, the necessary conservation work besides infrastructure upgradation would be taken up at these lake sites.

Mr. Jora said that pilgrim tourism potential of Jammu is being explored fully by developing pilgrim sites and creation of infrastructure. He said after development of Shiv Khouri holy temple, focused attention would be given to develop other holy shrines and temples like Sudh Mahadev, Chichi Mata and Chandi Mata etc.

The Minister said that sanction of one more project for conservation of Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex, Jammu estimated at a cost of Rs. 25 crore is expected from the Centre, adding that there were certain observations on DPR made by the Union Ministry of Tourism which have been cleared.

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Conservation work of Wullar Lake from next month

The conservation work of Asia’s biggest Wullar Lake would be started soon, said Minister for Forests and Environment Mian Altaf Ahmad during his visit to the site identified for taking up conservation work of the Lake.

He said the Centre has already approved project of Rs 120 crore for its development, adding till the Government constitutes Wullar Development Authority, the job has been assigned to a team of officers under the supervision of Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to initiate the implementation of the project from next month after completion of all codal formalities.

During his tour to Bandipora, the Minister visited Gujjar basti’s Argham and Malangam, to assess their problems and developmental needs. He issued on-the-spot instructions to the concerned officers for mitigating genuine problems.

The Minister while addressing public meetings at Argham and Malangam said that all-round development of Gujjar and Pahari people is also top agenda of the Government, adding that several steps have been taken to fulfill the aspirations and developmental needs of the community.

Mian Altaf said in democratic set up every citizen has right to seek justice in development process and called upon Gujjar community to come forward and struggle for the share which the Government under various sectors kept for their development.

Responding to the demands of locals, the Minister announced that two timber sale depots would be opened in Gujjar belt Argham. He instructed concerned engineers to make result oriented projects for upgradation of basic amenities in the area. He said that two mobile schools for Gujjar and Bakarwals would also be opened in Malangam belt, besides setting up of Handicrafts Centres, improvement in road connectivity, drinking water, power supply, education and health care would be taken up with concerned authorities. He directed district administration to ensure speedy development of Gujjar community under district, State and Centrally sponsored plans on priority so that these people would feel succor.