Zonal Master Plan to give boost to tourism, conservation & ecology at Shopian: Sachin Kumar Vaishya

Shopian : The Zonal Master Plan (ZMP), prepared by the Wildlife Department was today discussed by District Development Commissioner (DDC) Shopian, Sachin Kumar Vaishya with concerned officers and officials.Hirpora Eco-Sensitive Zone notification mandated the District Administration to prepare ZMP to be implemented under the supervision of the Monitoring Committee and added that the same is based on watershed approach and includes governance in the area of forest and wildlife, watershed management, irrigation, energy, tourism, public health and sanitation, road infrastructure etc.The DDC said that ZMP will give a boost to conservation and ecology of the area and also pave the way to undertake developmental activities as permitted under ZMP. This will also pave the way for faster execution of the Project.

He further added that the District Administration has unvieled a proposal to declare some kilometres around the wildlife sanctuary as ESZ.The District Magistrate has put the draft proposal in public domain ro seek suggestions over it, but it prohibits setting up of new industries and expansion of existing polluting industries in the eco-sensitive zone and all new and existing mining (mineral and major minerals) stone quarrying and crushing units shall be prohibited with immediate effect.It also states that no new commercial hotels and resorts shall be permitted within a kilometer of the boundary of the protected area or upto the extent of eco-sensitive zone, whichever is nearest, except for small temporary structures for eco-tourism activities.Additional Deputy Commissioner, Shopian, Mushtaq Ahmed Simnani; Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Shahbaz Ahmed Bodha besides officers and officials from Wildlife, Tourism and other concerned Departments were present in the meeting.