Hangul breeding Centre at Dardurdi Mamar proposed

(Ajmer Alam Wani can be contacted at------- ajmeralam2000@gmail.com /Phone No- 9906103001)

Minister for Forest & Environment Mian Altaf Ahmed today conducted extensive tour to Ganderbal and Kangan areas in Sindh Forest Division and took stock of various developmental works proposed to be taken up during current financial year.
The Minister visited the Vanaspati Van Society Project and Central Hi-tech Nursery at Malhar. The Minister was told that Nursery in Malhar is being extended during the current financial year. About 4 lakh conifers and about 2 lakh broad lived species . The Minister directed the concerned forest staff to concentrate on razing of conifers and their planting in under stocked forests. He was told that the funds under the Compa Scheme are likely to be released for the current financial year. The Minister gave direction for preparing comprehensive plan for protection and development of forests in Gotlibagh, Wangat, Naranag, Mamar and Rayul areas.
The Minister was accompanied by Chief Conservator of Forest, Kashmir, Mr. Shafat Ahmed and other senior functionaries of Forest and Wild Life departments during the tour.
The Minister directed the forest authorities to take effective measures to check degradation of forests for preserving ecology and environment in the State. He asked the Officers of Wild Life Department to formulate a comprehensive project for conservation breeding centre for Hungal at Dardurdri Mamar.
The Minister inspected the under construction Inspection Hut at Naranag estimated to cost of Rs. 17 lakh. He directed the concerned agencies to speed up the pace of work and complete the building within the stipulate time. Mian Altaf also directed for fencing around the Hut. The Minister also inspected Hut at Thajwas. He was informed that the Hut is being constructed at a cost of Rs.16 lakh and is nearing completion.

World Tourism Day: Wi-fi facility for Pahalgam, Gulmarg announced

Jora for improving hospitality to tourists


Jammu and Kashmir Tourism department today observed World Tourism Day to celebrate diversity, at a grand function organised by Institute of Hotel Management, Rajbagh here today. Minister for Tourism presided over the function.
Addressing on the occasion, Mr Jora said that J& K state has plenty of diversity in terms of its geographical landscape and climate, art forms and culture, language and literature, offering distinct and diverse destinations unparalleled in the country. He said that the state with its composite culture, diverse people and their life styles give unique character to the tourism industry that has no match in the entire sub continent.
Mr Jora said that tourism is a peace activity and every single tourist who visits the state impacts the livelihood of more than a dozen people. In this perspective, it is more important for the survival of tourism industry that peace prevails, he said while expressing satisfaction over the return of peace and tranquillity in the state over the years. He asked the tour and travel industry of the state to organize a peace march so that a message of peace in Kashmir circulates in the entire country.
The Minister said that government is contemplating a well knit strategy for retaining the tourists for longer period of time in the state by offering multiple tourist spots and activities for which, he said tourism department would provide basic infrastructure and encourage people through incentives for contributing towards the cause. He said, “We have to be innovative, creative and have out of the box thinking especially at the planning and policy level so that true potential of the tourism industry is optimally harnessed”. He said the focus would be to retain lakhs of pilgrim tourists by offering them varied leisure tourism activities.
Emphasising on quality services, the Minister said that tourists should be provided better facilities and made to feel at home. He urged the hoteliers and all others associated with tourism trade to strive for extending warm hospitability befitting international standards, adding the valley is famous for cordial hospitality. “We must act as a team, be proactive and ready to work in unison to serve the tourists”, he said.
The Minister on this occasion announced that Pahalgam and Gulmarg will be provided with Wi-Fi technology for internet connectivity this year while the same facility will be extended to the Dal area next year.
The Minister also interacted with representatives of travel and trade associations, during which they assured to improve facilities for the visiting tourists to their utmost satisfaction. They also highlighted important areas that require Government intervention and consideration for growth of tourism.
A debating and painting competition was also held on the occasion in which School children from Government and private schools participated. The theme of which was “celebrating diversity”. The Academy of Art and Culture also organized a cultural musical programme on the occasion. Later, prizes were distributed among the best performing participants.
Secretary Toursim Mrs. Tanveer Jehan, District Development Commissioner, Mr. Mehraj Ahmad Kakroo, Joint Director Toursim, Mr. Mohd. Saleem, Principal, Institute of Hotel Management, Srinagar Mr. Nisheeth Srivastava, representatives of Travel & Trade Associations, House Boat Owners Association, Shikara Union Association, and Adventure Tour Operators Associations, other dignitaries and a large number of School children were present on the occasion.

KU to study “ Silk Route: Relevance and Revival”

The Centre for central Asian studies University of Kashmir has undertaken a long-term multi-disciplinary mega research project entitled Silk Route: Relevance and Revival. The project came up in the backdrop ring an International Conference held at Centre of Central Asian Studies (CCAS) University of Kashmir where in resolution was unanimously passed by all Area Study Centres of India that the Centre of Central Asian Studies should act as a Nodal Centre for the Silk Route Study.
The basic objective of this project is to explore the possibilities for reviving some branches of Silk Route to strengthen the age-old trade relations and promote regional cooperation between India and Central Asia said Prod G M Mir director of the CCAS. KU. He said the two phases of the expedition along Srinagar-Leh-Turtuk and Srinagar-Leh-Panamik route have already been completed. Prof Mir said that the third and final phase, two routes will be covered by the two teams. In the first instance a team consisting of Historian, Geographer, Economist, Buddhist Studies, Sociologist and Islamic Studies under the leadership of Dr. G. N. Khaki, will leave to Ladakh on 26.09.2009 to survey Leh-Cheshool-Tibet route. Another team consisting of Archaeologist, Historian, Linguist, Sociologist etc. under the leadership of Prof. Mushtaq A. Kaw, will leave in the IInd week of October, 2009 to cover Srinagar-Gurez route via Bandipora. After completing the project, the findings will be published and submitted to Ministery of external affairs Government of India (MEA, GOI )and other concerned agencies for implementation informed Prof G M Mir