Dachigam National Park to promote eco-tourism

Srinagar: In a bid to boost eco-tourism and increase tourist flow, three battery-operated carts were pressed into service at the Dachigam National Park on the outskirts of Srinagar.

Jammu and Kashmir forest minister Qazi Mohammad Afzal, who inaugurated the service, said that the introduction of the carts in the national park was aimed at promoting eco-tourism by offering peaceful and tranquil conditions for the wild animals and also cut down on pollution produced by motor vehicles.

He added that with the battery-operated cart service, tourists at Dachigam Nature Drive will be taken for trips deep inside the park to view the flora and the fauna. Other destinations such as the Laribal trout hatchery and wildlife film show at Nature Interpretation Centre (NIC), would also be covered in the trip.

In order to proceed with the eco-tourism drive, the state tourism department has assigned Karnataka based,e Jungle Lodges and Resorts, to provide consultancy services for survey and preparation of eco-tourism plan for the park..

The Dachigam National Park is famous for the conservation of endangered Hangul species of red deer.