Saurabh Van Vihar reopened for tourists

Ravinder Sood

Palampur December 17

Saurabh Van Vihar, a famous tourist destination of Palampur that was washed away in flash floods in the Neugal three years ago, was reopened for tourists from today. Rakesh Pathania, Forest Minister, inaugurated the first phase of the project in the presence of BJP veteran Shanta Kumar. An amount of Rs 70 lakh has been spent on the reconstruction of the first phase.

The van vihar was reconstructed by the society that maintains it in collaboration with the state forest department. In the first phase, the society will restore the boating facility for tourists and later other tourist attractions will be started.

Saurabh Van Vihar is the dream project of senior BJP leader Shanta Kumar. It was constructed in the memory of Captain Saurabh Kalia, who had sacrificed his life in the Kargil war against Pakistan. The Forest Department had released Rs 3 crore for the project.

Speaking on the occasion, Pathania said the construction of retaining walls had already been started on the bank of the Neugal to guard the van vihar from floods. Pathania directed the forest department to complete remaining revival works before March end so that tourist could come here in the next tourist season in summer.

Saurabh Van Vihar is situated on the foothills of the Dhauladhars on the right bank of the Neugal and is surrounded by dense forests.