Rana inaugurates City Forest Park at Batote; boosting eco-tourism, green infrastructure

RAMBAN, APRIL 23: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmad Rana, today inaugurated the City Forest Park at Batote, Ramban marking a significant step towards strengthening the green infrastructure and promoting eco-tourism in the region.
He was accompanied by Legislators Sajjad Shaheen and Arjun Singh Raju, Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu, Dr. V. Senthil Kumar, Conservator of Forests, Chenab Circle, Dr. A. D. Singh and other officers from the forest department.
Developed by the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department, the City Forest Park has been established over an area of 12 hectares at an estimated cost of ₹62 lakh.
The initiative is aimed at creating a vibrant recreational green space for both the residents and the visitors, while simultaneously advancing ecological conservation and fostering environmental awareness.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister underscored the growing importance of urban forest spaces in improving the environmental quality and public well-being. He emphasized that such initiatives not only encourage the community participation in conservation efforts but also serve as catalyst for nature-based tourism.
Highlighting the broader environmental impact, he noted that projects like the City Forest Park contribute meaningfully to climate resilience while offering accessible, healthy recreational avenues for the public.
The park has been thoughtfully designed with eco-friendly amenities to enhance the visitor experience while maintaining sustainability.
Key features included scenic viewpoints offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape, a 50-metre walking trail for nature enthusiasts, a wooden bridge adding both functionality and aesthetic appeal and soil and moisture conservation measures such as Dry Rubble Stone Masonry (DRSM).
Outlining the future plans, the Minister announced several proposed enhancements to further enrich the park. These included the construction of an additional wooden bridge, development of a dedicated children’s park, establishment of a thematic Nagar Van, creation of a selfie point to attract younger visitors and addition of more viewpoints to elevate the overall visitor experience.