Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 24: Expressing concern over deteriorating condition of Surinsar Lake, National Secular Forum (NSF) on Sunday staged a protest demonstration in Surinsar area and demanded for special package to develop infrastructure there so that it is promoted as a best tourist destination in the region. Led by state president Dr Vikas Sharma, hundreds of NSF activists accompanied by local people raised slogans against the state government, particularly Surinsar- Mansar Development Authority (SMDA) for its failure to undertake necessary development activities in Surinsar area and alleged that the lake was being neglected as far as development is concerned. They accused the state government of discrimination saying it had announced a package of Rs 1100 crore for Dal Lake and Rs 386 crores for Wullar lake, while the lakes of Mansar and Surinsar were subjected to hostile treatment and given only peanuts for their development. "It is the nearest tourist place from Jammu city but the tourists visiting Surinsar Lake are a harried lot as the area is deprived of basic infrastructure.
There is no sitting place for tourists, while it is deprived of other basic amenities of life. There is no infra structural development in the area with large heaps of garbage and debris on the banks of lake giving it a shabby look. The government should take pro-active measures to restore the pristine glory," Dr Sharma said. |
