Bihar green cover raised from 9 to 15 Nitish Kumar

  • | Monday | 19th November, 2018

He said that the state had successfully raised its green cover from 9% (post bifurcation from Jharkhand) to 15%. BETTIAH/BAGAHA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar unveiled a host of eco-tourism facilities in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) on Sunday. On Tharu’s demand, the CM announced that Bagaha -2 block headquarters would be shifted to Sidhav in the near future. He said that Valmikinagar would be developed as a tourist city like Rajgir and Bodh Gaya. Their footfall will soon cross one lakh,” he said while inaugurating a bicycle safari in the park.Nitish announced that a convention centre would also come up at Valmikinagar for tourists.

BETTIAH/BAGAHA: Chief minister Nitish Kumar unveiled a host of eco-tourism facilities in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) on Sunday. He said that the state had successfully raised its green cover from 9% (post bifurcation from Jharkhand) to 15%. “We shall soon achieve our target of 17%,” he said and added that 22 crore trees have already been planted so far.Accompanied by deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi and water resources minister Rajeev Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Nitish concluded his two-day sojourn at picturesque Valmikinagar after reviewing the ongoing development works of eco-tourism facilities and the strengthening of the Gandak embankment.The government also transferred about 200 acres of land lying with the water and resources department to the department of environment, forest and climate change for development of tourism facilities.Nitish also appreciated VTR’s initiatives to conserve and augment the number of big cats. “When we assumed office, there were just eight tigers here. Now there are 35,” the CM said, adding that while the tiger population is rising in the VTR, it is on the decline in the neighbouring Nepal. VTR adjoins Nepal’s Chitwan sanctuary and UP’s Sohagi Barwa wildlife sanctuary.The CM said that the transfer of 200 acres of land to the environment, forest and climate change department would give a boost to tourism in the area. “The majestic view of the Himalayan range and the Gandak river would serve as a feast for the eyes of those visitng Valmikinagar,” he said and added that facilities like eco-huts, boating and organised safaris would force people to visit the area. “We had 45,000 tourists this year. Their footfall will soon cross one lakh,” he said while inaugurating a bicycle safari in the park.Nitish announced that a convention centre would also come up at Valmikinagar for tourists. “We shall even hold a cabinet meeting at this picturesque location,” he said in response to Modi’s suggestion.Earlier during his morning walk on Sunday morning, the CM inspected the Gandak left bank protection embankment works which were under progress from old Triveni canal to the Kauleshwar hanging bridge. He also fed bananas to elephants at their shed near the Kauleshwar temple.The CM praised the art and culture of Tharu tribals and assured them that they would be preserved. On Tharu’s demand, the CM announced that Bagaha -2 block headquarters would be shifted to Sidhav in the near future. He said that Valmikinagar would be developed as a tourist city like Rajgir and Bodh Gaya.

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