J&K Chief Secretary Outlines Vision for Eco-Tourism and Commercial Medicinal Plant Cultivation
JAMMU 30 December :- In a strategic move to bolster sustainable development and rural livelihoods, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired high-level meetings to fast-track the promotion of eco-tourism and the commercial cultivation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAP) across Jammu and Kashmir. Emphasizing a shift toward high-value, environmentally conscious tourism, the Chief Secretary directed the Forest Department to move beyond basic planning toward a comprehensive execution model.
This includes identifying destinations that offer diverse activities—ranging from trekking to nature photography—allowing visitors to tailor their stays. To ensure international standards, the Forest Development Corporation will look toward successful models in Punjab, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, focusing on developing eco-compliant camping infrastructure and outsourcing hospitality to professional service providers.Beyond infrastructure, the initiative aims to institutionalize community-led conservation.
Forest Secretary Sheetal Nanda highlighted that the roadmap prioritizes the preservation of local culture and the generation of livelihoods for forest-dependent communities. In a significant technological leap for nomadic pastoralists, Chief Secretary Dulloo also launched ‘e-Bahak’, a trilingual mobile application developed by BISAG-N. This digital platform streamlines the process for obtaining grazing permissions, featuring an integrated payment gateway and real-time weather alerts, effectively eliminating manual hurdles for the region’s nomadic population.
Strategy for Commercial MAP CultivationThe Chief Secretary also pivoted to the agricultural sector, calling for a “clear-vision plan” to transform J&K into a hub for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. By collaborating with research giants like CSIR-IIIM Jammu and SKUAST, the administration intends to bridge the gap between local growers and the global pharmaceutical industry. The strategy focuses on: * Market-Linked Cultivation: Focusing on high-demand, locally suitable MAP varieties to ensure immediate profitability for farmers.
Scientific Backing: Leveraging tissue culture and characterization expertise from CSIR-IIIM to revive rare plant varieties and standardize quality.
Value Addition: Developing local processing facilities to ensure that the economic benefits of refined products remain within the Union Territory.
Additional Chief Secretary Shailendra Kumar underscored that the success of the MAP sector hinges on prioritizing varieties unique to J&K, ensuring a competitive edge in the national and international trade markets. By integrating the strengths of the Forest and Agriculture Departments with academic research, J&K is positioning itself as a leader in both sustainable tourism and high-value botanical commerce.