Steps to preserve Mount Abu

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR, JAN. 26. The Rajasthan Government would soon initiate steps to preserve the pristine beauty of the State's only hill resort, Mount Abu in Sirohi district. A meeting of the Abu Development Committee, presided over by the Chief Minister, Mr. Ashok Gehlot decided to keep the natural surroundings of Mount Abu intact.

The Abu Development Committee met here after a gap of five years to discuss the Master Plan for the hill station, which is slated to expire this year. Mr. Gehlot was of the view that a new Master Plan should be prepared for the hill station. Attempts should be made to attract both domestic as well as foreign tourists to the area, which caters to tourists from Rajasthan and neighbouring Gujarat, without sacrificing on the serenity of the place.

For this construction should be banned and local people, especially the tribals, given employment avenues, the Committee members, who included the Tourism Minister, Ms. Bina Kak, and Local-Self Government Minister, Mr. Shanti Dhariwal opined. There was also a need to stop felling of trees and blasting of rock inside the sanctuary surrounding Mount Abu.

The formation of slums in the hill station was viewed with concern by members of the Committee. Officially 110 encroachments within the township have been identified by the civic authorities. The town has three slums with 250 families living in them.

Mr. Gehlot said that Rajasthan Small Scale Industries Corporation and other agencies should step in to facilitate self- employment to the local tribal population. He also expressed dismay over the long gaps in the meetings of the Abu Development Committee.

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Section  : Other States
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