Director Tourism launches senitation drive at Patnitop

AKSHAY MAHAJAN

 Udhampur May 12(GNS):— A  drive was organized today at Patnitop by the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu in collaboration with the Patnitop Development Authority (PDA). The derive started by involving all the stakeholders at Patnitop including the Hotel and Restaurant Association Patnitop, JKTDC Patnitop, Local Tour and Travels Association, Local Hawkers and small vendors, Ponywalla association, local volunteers, all other local business and trade community members. The officials from the Tourism office Batote and Patnitop, Floriculture department, Forest department also participated in the drive with utmost zeal and enthusiasm.

The campaign started at 10:00 am with all the participants gathered at Main Meadow and thereby teams were allotted demarcated areas to clean it. The Floriculture officials also participated in it and grass cutting along with plant trimming and pruning was entailed. After cleaning the area, garbage was collected and disposed off by the PDA officials with the help of waste disposal vehicles.

Afterwards a plantation drive was also undertaken at Padora, wherein 70 saplings of Pine, Deodar and Chinar were planted.

Speaking on the occasion Om Prakash Bhagat Director Tourism, Jammu said that Tourism is the main face of our state, we must put our best face forward. A clean tourist resort and area gives a positive vibe to the tourists. A ‘Clean and Green’ state is what will set us apart from other areas. If our surroundings are not kept clean there will be an adverse effect directly on our tourism sector, it is important for us to be harbingers of cleanliness and we must make every effort to sensitise each stakeholder towards cleanliness.
The program culminated with a cultural evening of local dancers and folk singers. Others present on the occassion were CEO Patnitop Development Authority Pran Singh, AD Tourism NHW Batote, Ambika Bali and representatives of all associations associated with tourism.