Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Sunday emphasised the need for promoting the unexplored areas from tourism point of view in the State.

To tap the ample opportunities in tourism sector, an Art- cum-Culture tourism centre to the tune of Rs 20 crore would be set up at Janjehli which will include an amphitheatre, theme parks, tourist information centre, parks, ‘Haats’ etc, said Thakur, while addressing a public meeting at Kadaun in Seraj Assembly segment of Mandi district.

Besides, a sum of Rs 5 crore would be spent on eco-tourism project in Janjehli which will not only help raising the livelihood of the local people but will also open scope for employment, said he.

The Chief Minister said that Chiuni, Shattadhar and Spenidhar would be developed under eco-tourism project and to give boost to religious tourism, Shikari-Mata, Kamrunaag, Tungashi Dhar and other places would be brought under the religious tourism circuit.

There were many places in Seraj having beautiful landscape and green open pastures and the Government would ensure that they no more remain virgin lands and would be thrown open for tourists. Special emphasis would be laid for diversifying tourists in unexplored areas, he said.

Thakur said the State Government would develop 22 eco parks under CAMPA during next three years and at least 25 new sites would be allotted for development under eco-tourism.

Under the new scheme ‘Nei Rahein, Nei Manzilen’ as proposed in the Budget, stress would be on improving the road infrastructure, transport, parking slots and other basic amenities in identified virgin destinations for which a sum of Rs 50 crore had been proposed in this fiscal, said the Chief Minister.

Earlier, while addressing on the occasion of public reception at Lambathach, he announced up-gradation of Government High School Nihri-Sunaah to Government Senior Secondary School.

He also reiterated for having a dialogue to solve the Janjehli row amicably. He said that nothing beneficial was going to come out if few people keep on misguiding the people of the area. To burn effigies and to raise slogans was not the culture of the people of my constituency. Apart from the furore created by few like-minded, I still invite them for amicable solution, he said

The Chief Minister also laid foundation stone of Lift Water Supply Scheme (LWSS) Bhat-Ki-Dhaar to cost Rs 1.17 crore to cover 41 habitations with a population of around 3300.

He also announced a sum of Rs 8 lakh for Kathiala-Kalhani road and Rs 5 lakhs for Gaagni -Baahlidhar road.

The Chief Minister said that soon, a building of IPH sub division would be constructed at Bagachanogi. He also announced up-gradation of GPS Bajehal to GMS, tarring of Daran to Khardan road and construction of science Block in GSSS Bagachanogi.

He said that Rs 40 crore had been approved for widening and up-gradation of Lambathach to Kalheni road. He also laid foundation stone of additional accommodation of GSSS Baatkidhaar.

Thakur said THAT it was due to the love and cooperation of the people of Seraj constituency that he was given the responsibility of the Chief Minister of the State by the central leadership.

The Chief Minister said that today, the people have rejected the Congress and other parties. The election results in Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya have proved that the BJP was again going to gain a massive win in 2019 parliamentary elections, added he.

He also exhorted the people to exercise patience as far as development works were concerned.