Srinagar, June 15: The Forest Minister, Mian Altaf Ahmed, on Tuesday said the Government was contemplating massive infrastructure development of tourist resorts under eco-tourism development project.
 Chairing a high level meeting here, Altaf said, the government has earmarked Rs 3 crore for it. “Out of which Rs 1.50 crore will be spent to develop Dhera Ki Gali as a tourist spot and rest of the amount will be spent to upgrade infrastructure at Gangbal, Kishensar and Bishensar,” he added.
 He said steps were being taken to bring more picturesque spots on the tourist map to boost stat e’s economy. He said development of eco-tourism projects would help in sustaining the ecological balance, besides creating jobs for the youth adding sports activities would also get fillip through the project.
 “The state will approach centre to seek funds for the development of neglected tourist resorts under eco-tourism to facilitate the domestic and international tourists,” Mian Altaf said.
 He said the department would ensure plantation of trees for the beautification of these resorts.
 ‘Timber smugglers will be punished’ 
 Later Altaf while addressing a public meeting at Dara Harwan on city outskirts said stern action would taken against the timber smugglers. 
 Seeking peoples’ cooperation to eradicate timber smuggling, the Minister said that firewood and timber would be provided to the people through Forest depots in order to preserve the Green Gold from devastation. He said anybody found involved in forest smuggling rackets would be severely punished under law.
 Responding to various demands put-forth by local people Altaf announced an ambulance for them. He also assured regular matador service from Srinagar to Dara, thrice in a day.
 During his visit to adjoining areas of Dara, the Minister inspected various health and educational institutions. He said that the bottlenecks in the way of construction of hospital and high school buildings would be removed by taking up the matter with concerned Ministers.
 Altaf said that the Social Welfare Department would be asked to process the cases of the deserved people and aged persons for grant of pension at the earliest.
 Altaf said that LAWDA will be asked to explore all the possibilities for construction and renovation of lanes and footpaths in Harwan area

Lastupdate on : Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST