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Govt Lacks comprehensive eco-tourism policy in J&K

Zafar Bhat. Dated: 5/29/2017 11:53:00 AM

3000 vacancies of different categories are still unfilled

Zafar Bhat
Jammu, May 28
In J&K, government has failed in formulating a comprehensive eco-tourism policy in the state, as there is no eco-tourism boards established in the state.
State government has only accentuate necessitate for devising the eco-tourism policy, but in ground reality there is not board to implement it.
Besides that it has been reported that there are more than 3000 vacancies of different categories both in direct and promotion quotas, which are required to fulfill for the sanctioned strength of staff in the Forest and allied departments.
Whereas, these vacancies includes 400 posts
each in the Forest department and FPF department. The state government has failed to refer all vacancies of different levels to the recruiting agencies.
Categorically it is for the state government to refer all vacancies of different levels to the recruiting agencies Service Selection Recruitment Board (SSRB) and Public Service Commission (PSC) for selection of candidates on fast-track basis.
Particularly, the eco-tourism policy, which is yet not implemented in the state, will not only facilitate the revenue increase but also generate employment opportunities for the learned unemployed youth of the State.
Having no eco-tourism board in the state shows the slackness of government regarding the tourism advancement in the Jammu & Kashmir.
In Department of Forest Protection Force there are 23 Reporting Centres which are not sufficient for whole state, so there is need of establishment of Reporting centres at various different areas in state.
Concerned officials should create an online system for bookings for eco-tourism huts and have a centralized control at Forest Head Quarters at Srinagar and Jammu.
Though, under the CAPEX budged the FPF get addition to its budgetary allocation, but it does not show any good consequences when it come to implementing new policy and development of eco-tourism in state. There are long pending court cases which are being delayed for speeding disposal, thus, the promoting measures are very far distant for FPF.
Pertinently, for the establishment of Gamma units in the Jammu and Kashmir, the FPF to come up with a five-year plan proposal for upgradation of Gamma Units and prioritizing of developmental works under the scheme and submit the same to concerned quarters for necessary sanctions.