Eco-tourism spot opened in Poonch

Poonch, May 13 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated Dera Ki Gali, an eco-tourism spot to promote tourism in Poonch district.

Speaking to the media after the inauguration, Abdullah said that preservation of tourist resorts and green wealth, along with water bodies and environment is the need of hour.

"Our main aim is that we use environment-friendly materials here so that the ecological balance of the area is not disturbed. If you have seen the maps here, you would realise that we are harvesting rainwater for use, here. We are using solar panels for electricity, that is true eco-tourism. There is a difference between tourism and eco-tourism. There are people around the world who want to come to such places where there is no electricity," said Abdullah.

Abdullah also laid the foundation of walkways and tracks in the area. These are a part of Rs 90 million eco-tourism project envisaged for the Dera ki Gali area.

Dera ki Gali is a pass connecting the Rajouri and Poonch districts of the state. The Forest Department has taken up the eco-tourism development project.

Both Rajouri and Poonch districts are located along the border, and although there has been much development in the districts with regards to electricity, road connectivity, water and others, they are far behind in the field of tourism.

Choudhry Mohammed Asif, Forest Conservator said that the government is also planning to publicise the eco -tourism spot.

"We have made this keeping in mind the tourists who come from Srinagar and visit Shahdara-e-Sharif (a shrine), so that they can come to this place. We will publicise this through print and lectronic media," said Asif. (ANI)