CS reviews prospects for eco-tourism promotion, MAP cultivation in J&K

Jammu : Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, Tuesday chaired two separate high-level meetings to review the initiatives undertaken for promotion of eco-tourism by the Forest Department and the commercial cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAP) across J&K. The meeting on eco-tourism was attended by the Commissioner Secretary, Forests; Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF); Chief Wildlife Warden; Managing Director, Forest Development Corporation; Director, Remote Sensing and other senior officers of the Forest Department.
During the deliberations the Chief Secretary emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive approach to eco-tourism development, urging the identification of diverse destinations that cater to various visitor interests and durations of stay. The role of the Forest Development Corporation in enhancing eco-tourism infrastructure was a focal point of discussion, with PCCF Suresh Kumar Gupta referencing successful models from other states, such as the Ranjit Sagar Lake initiative in Punjab and similar efforts in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, as potential templates for Jammu and Kashmir. Commissioner Secretary, Forests, Sheetal Nanda, noted that the eco-tourism plan is still in its early stages, highlighting the need for improved planning, institutionalization, and execution. The initiative aims to sustainably utilize the region’s natural resources while conserving forests and wildlife, fostering community participation, generating livelihoods, and preserving local culture. The Managing Director of the Forest Development Corporation presented a structured roadmap for eco-tourism, which includes site selection, development of environmentally compliant camping infrastructure, and capacity building through Master Trainers for various activities. The plan also emphasizes the establishment of quality hospitality services through professional outsourcing to ensure high service standards. The eco-tourism initiative is projected to create significant employment and livelihood opportunities, particularly for rural and forest-dependent communities, while positioning Jammu and Kashmir as a premier sustainable tourism destination. Additionally, the Chief Secretary introduced the mobile application ‘e-Bahak’, designed for the online granting of grazing permissions to nomadic pastoral communities, featuring a trilingual interface and integrated payment system to streamline processes. In a subsequent meeting, the Chief Secretary discussed strategies for promoting the commercial cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAP) across the Union Territory. He called for a clear vision plan with defined objectives, developed in collaboration with market stakeholders, including pharmaceutical companies. The Chief Secretary advocated for starting cultivation with popular local MAP varieties and gradually diversifying as scientific practices are established. He stressed the importance of collaboration with research institutions like SKUAST and CSIR-IIIM, emphasizing time-bound milestones, processing facilities, and the dissemination of advanced knowledge and infrastructure support. Additional Chief Secretary, Shailendra Kumar, highlighted that the core objective of the strategy should be to enhance farmers’ profitability. He recommended assessing existing nurseries and prioritizing unique MAP varieties to ensure sustainability and competitiveness. Vice Chancellors from SKUAST Jammu and Kashmir discussed their institutions’ potential in promoting MAP cultivation, while the Director of CSIR-IIIM Jammu outlined the institute’s capabilities in product characterization and revival techniques. The Managing Director of HADP presented a proposed implementation framework, clarifying the roles of the Forest and Agriculture Departments alongside research institutions.