For providing healthy and green environs to the pilgrims visiting Holy cave of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Jee, Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Choudhary Lal Singh today issued directions to the Forest Department for beautification of Domail-Katra road by plantating ornamental trees and landscaping. This was stated by the Minister after responding to the demand of several deputations from Katra town, here today. During the interaction with the deputations, Choudhary Lal Singh said that Government has taken up the matter with National Highway Authority of India to develop road divider from Nagrota to Katra for planting palm and ornamental trees besides making sitting arrangements for pilgrims of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Jee shrine. The Minister directed the Forest officers to make regular patrolling of Forest enclosures across the State in odd hours so that natural greenery would be saved from any calamity particularly fire. He also directed the officers to identify those elements that are indulging to set fire in the forests so that culprits would be dealt with iron hands. Choudhary Lal Singh urged for creating better facilities and basic infrastructure in the town to the visiting devotees. He directed the Forest officers to reactivate men and machinery and develop a park on modern lines near Katra town. The Minister directed the officers to develop and explore more such eco-friendly environmental parks in and around Katra town to attract large number of tourists visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Jee in connection with pilgrimage.
