Foundation Stone of Forest Rest House Laid by Himachal CM in Sara Gadakufar
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Synopsis
On April 5, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Sukhu virtually laid the foundation stone for a new Forest Rest House in Sara Gadakufar, Theog. Estimated at Rs 1.60 crore, this initiative aims to boost local tourism and provide essential amenities for visitors.
Key Takeaways
- Foundation stone laid for a new Forest Rest House in Sara Gadakufar.
- Estimated cost of the project is Rs 1.60 crore.
- The region has significant tourism potential with no nearby resting facilities.
- Efforts to promote eco-tourism and sustainable development are underway.
- Local communities involved in afforestation and maintenance projects.
Shimla, April 5 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Sukhu, on Saturday conducted a virtual ceremony to lay the foundation stone for a Forest Rest House in Sara Gadakufar, located in Theog of the Shimla district.
The project is estimated to cost around Rs 1.60 crore.
The Chief Minister highlighted that this area possesses significant potential for tourism and eco-tourism, attracting numerous visitors each year who come to admire its untouched natural beauty.
He noted that despite the substantial tourism prospects, there is currently no rest house within a 25-km radius, despite the presence of several notable temples in the vicinity.
Once the Forest Rest House at Sara Gadakufar is completed, it will enhance the region's tourism appeal and provide greater comfort and convenience for visitors.
The Chief Minister mentioned that the Forest Department currently manages around 450 rest houses across the state.
“These facilities can be leveraged to foster eco-tourism initiatives aimed at sustainable tourism development. Several eco-tourism locations are being identified, and the allocation process is ongoing. Currently, seven eco-tourism sites have been assigned, with an additional 78 sites set to be allocated soon,” stated the Chief Minister.
Sukhu elaborated that in the past two years, afforestation efforts have taken place over 600 hectares of barren hills and slopes, with local communities actively participating in these initiatives.
“A maintenance period of seven years has been established for the saplings, during which locals will be engaged, thereby creating employment opportunities close to home. The government aims to undertake plantation activities on 5,000 hectares of forest land by 2025–26, with around 60 percent of the saplings being fruit-bearing and other economically beneficial species,” he added.
This initiative will not only improve biodiversity but also aid in controlling wildlife within forest areas and diminish human-animal conflicts.
The Chief Minister also announced the launch of the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana, which has a budget provision of Rs 100 crore for 2025–26.
Under this scheme, youth clubs, mahila mandals, and self-help groups will be encouraged to plant fruit-bearing trees on one to five hectares of barren forest land.
“These groups will also be tasked with maintaining the plantations over a five-year period,” he said.
In the first year, each group will receive financial assistance of Rs 2.40 lakh for plantation and fencing.
“Subsequent annual grants for upkeep and maintenance will also be available to these groups. Overall, each participating group will receive Rs 6.40 lakh over five years to support this initiative,” he concluded.
