Target set to plant 1.2 crore saplings this year: Jai Ram Thakur

Tribune News Service

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Shimla, June 29

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today said there was need to strike a balance between development and conservation of the ecosystem. A target to plant about 1.2 crore saplings this year had been fixed, he said, while presiding over the ninth meeting of the Himachal Pradesh State Board for Wildlife here.

He expressed happiness over the success of captive breeding of tragopan. Thakur said efforts would be made to develop the Pong Dam reservoir as a major tourist attraction, keeping in view that a large number of migratory birds visited the wetland every year.

Various issues regarding the diversion of 2.8 hectare of forestland in Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary for the upgrade of the existing Thunag Panjut-Lambasafar Chilamgrd-Shikari Mata road would be taken with the appropriate authority.

He asked the department to take up the matter of the diversion of 1.55 hectare of forestland in the Khokhan Wildlife Sanctuary for the extension of the Dohranala-Shilirajgiri (Chesta) road up to Lot Rohlagi village in Kullu.

Forest Minister Govind Singh Thakur said the Protected Area Network had a great potential of ecotourism.

Pong Dam area to be developed

Efforts will be made to develop the Pong Dam reservoir as a major tourist attraction, keeping in view that a large number of migratory birds visit the wetland every year.