Sopore, Oct 03 (KNS): In a bid to promote nature education and create environmental and forest awareness, the forest department has come up with an Eco park in Rajpora village of Kamraj forest division in Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. 

An official of forest department told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that Rajpora forest area, though pristine and verdant it faced axe due to lack of connectivity and absence of monitoring. Dozens of people were slapped with PSAs over timber smuggling as the major area was cleared of trees.

He said that while keeping in mind the economic conditions of the people, “we have come up with an ecotourism park which will not promote nature education but will also create social, economical and cultural incentives for the local population.” 

He said that the park is spread over an area of 5 hectares and is properly fenced from all sides.

The work on the park was started in the month of March last year, however, due to covid the work got delayed. The park was recently inaugurated by Princ. Chief conservator, Dr. Mohit Gira along with T.Rabi Kumar Chief Conservator of Forests and Conservator of north Kashmir, Irfan Rasool.

The official said that the department believes ecotourism plays a vital role in raising awareness of sustainable forest development, motivating people to conserve forests, and providing economic, social and cultural incentives for the local people while staying environmental friendly. 

“In the fringe zone like Rajpora, the park is a big leap to bring positive changes in the socio-economic status and conditions of local populace is the solo aim to conserve ecosystem, biodiversity and the existence of forest resources,” the official said. 

He said that all the necessary steps are being taken by the forest department to attract visitors across the valley to visit the park and cherish its beauty.

The official said that since the human population has started visiting the place, its turning challenging for them to ensure the place be Eco-friendly, but they are committed to maintain the ecological balance of the area. 

“We are also urging visitors, that not to carry polythene, plastic bags, bottles when they visit the place,” he said. (KNS)