Friday, June 5, 2009

Politics of Hartals will result in economic disaster: NC

National Conference (NC) spokesperson has denounced the politics of hartals, saying frequent and prolonged strikes have dealt a severe blow to the economy of the valley as well as to the livelihood of the poor people. He said the government having set up a judicial probe to dig out the truth in the Shopian incident and making it amply clear that anyone found guilty by the inquiry commission would not be spared, the tragic incident is being used as an excuse to heap hardships on the people. 
In a statement, the spokesperson criticised the anti-people stand taken by the sponsors of hartals and said that they were leading them on the road to self destruction. He said they have no love and sympathy for the victim family and were only doing politics on a human tragedy that had left everybody hurt and anguished. 
The spokesperson said if the politics of hartals was not stopped it would result in economic disaster for the state. The state was already facing problems and stone pelting and shutdowns were adding up to the miseries of the people. He said the tourism sector which formed the backbone of the State’s economy has been dealt a severe blow and wage earners and people associated with the tourist trade were left without any gainful activity. Likewise, he said, the education of our children has immensely suffered as they were not able to go to their educational institutions. Rations were drying up and patients were not able to reach hospitals, he added. 
The spokesperson cautioned against politicising a human tragedy for ulterior motives. He said the government had already set up a judicial probe to dig out the truth behind the incident. He said the Chief Minister has repeatedly made his government’s stand clear that facts of the case would not be hidden and anyone found guilty would be given exemplary punishment to serve as a deterrent for others. He said after the unequivocal assurance of the Chief Minister, people should wait for the findings of the Inquiry Commission which has been asked to submit its report within a month.  

World Environment Day observed at Kargil

World Environment Day was observed at Kargil today. The Divisional Forest Department, Kargil organized an awareness camp at Auditorium Hall, Kargil to create awareness among the people about maintaining of environmental and ecological balance in the region.
Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC, Kargil, Kacho Ahmad Ali Khan was the chief guest on the occasion while Executive Councilor for Agriculture and Revenue, Haji Ghulam Amir was guest of honour.
Chief Executive Councilor in his address lauded the efforts of Forest department for organizing such awareness camp and providing a platform to the young generation to express their views for preserving the forests and its advantages for the people. He asked the student community to spread the message in their respective areas and keep their surrounding clean. He said that various steps are being taken for proper disposal of garbage and establishment of solar DG sets in the district to avoid pollution in the town. He also stressed the need for massive afforestation to maintain ecological balance in this hilly region Executive Council for Agriculture also spoke on the occasion. 
The DFO Kargil gave a resume of the schemes launched by the Forest department for maintaining environmental balance in the Kargil area of Ladakh region.
A colourful cultural programme was also presented by the artists of Darchiks on the occasion. The prizes were also distributed among the speakers who bagged Ist, 2nd and 3rd positions.


 

 

Multi-pronged strategy on anvil to promote adventure sports in JK: Jora

Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora has said that J&K is an adventure Sport’s Lovers Paradise and Government would formulate a multi-pronged strategy in which sports like rafting, rock climbing, mountaineering, skating besides winter sports will be promoted in a big way.
Mr. Jora said this during his tour of Kishtwar today while taking stock of various ongoing developmental projects being executed under Kishtwar Tourism Development Authority at a total cost of Rs 5.52 crore.
Member Legislative Assembly, Inderwal, Mr. G. M. Saroori, District Development Commissioner, Kishtwar, Director Tourism Jammu, Chief Executive Officer, Kishtwar Development Authority and other senior officers accompanied the Minister.
The Minister said creation of integrated facilities at various tourist spots in Kishtwar like Tourist Reception Centres, Guest Houses, Clubs, View Decks, Recreation Parks, Landscaping, Water Sports, Camping sites and other paraphernalia is imperative for attracting tourists to the tourist destinations of the area.
The Minister inspected the pace of construction of Tourist Reception Centre and Amphitheater at Kishtwar being completed at a total cost of Rs 2.55 crore. He also inspected the pace of under execution wok of Rs 68 lakh Guest house at Chingam besides construction work of water sports centre at Dool-Kishtwar. He directed the executing authority to ensure time bound completion of the projects.
The CEO, Kishtwar, while briefing the Minister, said that construction of various amenities at tourist destination of Bimulnag, Barmayar, Pochhal, Chowgan, Ziarat Sharief pain and Bala at Kishtwar and Gouri Shankar temple Sarkoot are in progress involving a total cost of Rs. 2.35 crore and would be completed by August this year.
The Minister also addressed public meetings at Chatroo and Chingam and said that government is committed to provide improved basic facilities like road connectivity, drinking water, power and education especially to the people living in far off, hilly and kandi areas. He said various new reformative initiatives are being taken up in this regard. He said keeping in view tourism potential of the area, the government has submitted a project report of Rs 4.98 crore to Union Ministry of Tourism for funding for development of Killa Top, Parade Ground Chowgam, Tund and Menthalam. He said that view decks and convenience facilities at various scenic sites on the bank of river Chenab would be created. He also instructed for the publication of separate broacher of tourist destination of Kishtwar district and added that the copies of the same should be given wide publicity outside the state for promoting varied tourism potential of the area.
Responding to the demands put-forth by the locals the Minister said that tourism contributes in a big way toward the state’s economy and added that government has sanctioned a package of incentives for the entrepreneurs in the state for development. lf tourist resorts, hotels, paying guest houses besides setting up of other tourism related units. He called upon interested unemployed educated youth o the area to come forward and take benefits out of these schemes. He said reputed consultants would be engaged for upgrading various tourism related infrastructure in the area.
Mr. Jora said that Kishtwar has a paramount significant due to its fascinating tracks which passing through captivating landscape. He said adventure tourism potential of the area would be promoted by upgrading basic facilities at various camping sites. He said the youth of the area would be also acquainted with tracking and rafting trainings and adding that in this regard Jawahar Institute Mountaineering has starts its functioning at Bhaderwah and at present 40 students are being trained who would later work as adventure tour and travel operators.
Mr. Jora said that a national River championship would be organized at Kishtwar in the month of October and camping site would be installed at Kalam-Satter, Synthan, Bimalnag and Warwan for trekking of Paddar-Umasi-Lazanskar, Kishtwar-Dacchan-Marwah and for other trekking destinations. He said organization of the tourism festivals would also be made a regular future for focused publicity of the area and added that trekking facilitation centres would be set up at Kishtwar, Gulabgarh, Atholi, Chatroo, Chingam besides budgeted accommodation for devotees would also be created at various pilgrimage places of the area.


 

Development not at the cost of environment: Altaf

Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology Mian Altaf Ahmad has said that while implementing the developmental projects every care must be taken to ensure that our precious environment is not affected adversely.
Stressing for not using agricultural and forest land for construction purposes, the Minister said that the rules in vogue should be implemented in letter and spirit.
On the eve of Environment Day, Mian Altaf has stressed for coordinated efforts for maintaining the ecological balance. He has asked for effecting complete ban on the use of polythene which adversely affects our fragile eco-system.
Stressing the importance of forests, the Minister said that more efforts are needed to conserve the green wealth for the sake of posterity.
The Minister has sought suggestions from environmentalists and experts so that policies for conservations of environment are devised as per our needs and demands.
Mian Altaf said that all of us have to contribute for the protection and preservation of the environment.