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Eco tourism remain a distant dream

Subodh Bhasin. Dated: 8/11/2017 11:46:29 AM

Authorities adopted lethargic approach

Subodh Bhasin
Jammu, Aug 10
Ecotourism which is considered as resource towards responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education" remain a distant dream in Jammu and Kashmir as lethargic approach is adopted by the state government.
It was almost a year ago a draft policy was introduced and announcement was made by Government to explore possibilities to promote eco-tourism in and around the Jammu city as there were massive possibilities in and around Jammu. Surprisingly even after one year the eco tourism draft policy was not finalized and remain a decorative piece for the website of the concerned Department.
Exercises like nature camps, home-stays and eco-accommodating convenience, trekking and nature strolls, enterprise games and home grown are included in eco-tourism and. For identification of destinations and improvement of offices, the draft strategy lays push on empowering utilization of eco-accommodating materials normally accessible in the region for development, staying away from utilization of solid structures and structures at eco-tourism locales
This is despite the way that eco-tourism potential can greatly profit locals by giving them job opportunities. Not just the previous governments in Jammu and Kashmir but also the present PDP-BJP Coalition Government has, on various events, asserted that much consideration was being paid towards tapping the tremendous potential for eco-tourism, which gives essential structure to biologically practical tourism with vocation open doors for nearby groups.
A year ago, Government got the draft of Eco-Tourism Policy arranged through Forest Department with the goal that accessible potential is tapped planned. Afterward, a few alterations were done in the draft and as needs be the same was placed in people in general area by posting it on the site of Forest Department for welcoming remarks and proposals from partners, Non-Governmental Organizations.
A year ago, Government got the draft of Eco-Tourism Policy arranged through Forest Department with the goal that accessible potential is tapped and necessary steps should be taken to give a threshold to eco tourism. Afterward, a few alterations were done in the draft and as needs be the same were placed in public domain by posting it on the web site of Forest Department for welcoming remarks and proposals from partners, Non-Governmental Organizations and divisions.
It is a matter of concern that on one side the Government is thinking of in a steady progression articulation laying push on eco-tourism potential and on the opposite side no genuine consideration is being paid towards finish of Eco-Tourism Policy. As such eco-tourism was included as one of the strategies in the J&K State Forest policy to promote and popularize eco-tourism in the State but largely it remained un-implemented.