A delegation led by MlA representative Bhuwan Pandey met the principal chief conservator of forests and submitted a memorandum to him demanding that a gate be built to facilitate entry of tourists from lalkuan to Nandhaur valley so as to encourage tourism in the Nandhaur wildlife sanctuary.
The delegation talked to the PCCF Dr Raghu Bir Singh Rawat, informed him about various problems in the area and sought redressal of the same. The delegation members said that openening a gate for tourists at lalkuan would not only encourage tourism in Nandhaur valley but also help provide employment opportunities to the local unemployed persons.
In the memorandum submitted to the PCCF, they complained that illegal tree felling is continuing in Tanda and Gaula forest areas. In view of this, the Uttarakhand Forest Development Corporation should open an outlet to sell firewood in the area so that wood can be procured by locals, hospitality enterprises and for cremation.
This will help put a stop on the illegal tree felling in the forests. Pandey demanded that the land of the Terai central forest division which was used in the past as a tractor workshop should be provided for establishing a Roadways bus depot. The damaged homes of the Forest Department staff should be demolished and a new residential colony should be constructed for the staff.
Stating that forest land on both banks of the Gaula river is lost every year to the river during the rainy season, the delegation also sought plantation of trees known to counter this and construction of embankments. They also demanded that minimum wages be paid to the daily wagers who have been working on forestry tasks for many years and receiving Rs 100-125 in wages.