Anantnag, Aug 06: Following the establishment of urban recreational centres in Dooru, Verinag, and Anantnag, a new chapter is unfolding with eco-parks poised to grace Shopian, Devsar, Kulgam, Yaripora, and Frisal in South Kashmir districts, a senior forest officer said.
The focal point is to craft urban recreational centres across South Kashmir, encompassing all 19 urban local bodies, said Irfan Ali Shah, the Conservator of Forests, South Kashmir.
Shah, along with his team, has already performed extensive explorations, traversing towns, forests, and landscapes of South Kashmir to meticulously assess the grounds for the forthcoming mega eco-parks and urban recreational centres.
“The mission was to unearth the perfect sites for the creation of city forests and eco-parks in South Kashmir, from Kokernag, Verinag, Kuthar, Achabal, and Qazigund – Tunnel area, almost every inch of the Anantnag district was explored. This wasn’t just an ordinary inspection; it was a vision taking shape,” he said.
The officer added, “We are determined to establish urban recreation centres that would soon bloom across South Kashmir’s four districts, gracing all 19 Urban Local Bodies. The story had begun from Dooru, Verinag, and Anantnag where these sites will be accorded to the public by ending September this year.”
Besides this, eco-parks are emerging in Shopian, Frisal, Devsar, Kulgam and Yaripora, Shah said, adding, “These spaces were destined to be more than just green parks; they would be a tapestry woven with forest trails, herbal sanctuaries, inviting benches, sheltering canopies, guiding signages, serene water ponds, biodiversity parks, fruit trees, and even a food court.”
Also, Pulwama town, Awantipora town, Pampore, Khrew, Ashmuqaam, Seer Hamdan, Mattan, and other town areas are other areas where surveys have been completed, lands identified and DPR making is in progress.
“We will coordinate with the district administrations and local residents for these upcoming initiatives. The story of South Kashmir’s Nagar Vans and Eco-Parks will be a collective endeavour. We will be giving new addresses for recreational activities in major towns and adjoining areas in South Kashmir,” the forest officer said, adding, that a lot of employment will also be generated by these initiatives.
