Impromptu Meeting of SDA

Minutes of the impromptu meeting with Shivalik Development Agency held on 13-07-2015 at 10:30 A.M. in the CM Committee Room, 4th Floor, Haryana Civil Secretariat, Chandigarh under the Chairmanship of Shri Manohar Lal, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Haryana-cum-Chairman, Shivalik Development Board.

The list of participants is annexed.

At the outset, Commissioner Ambala-cum-Chairperson, Shivalik Development Agency, Ambala Smt. Neelam P. Kasni, IAS welcomed & apprised the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Haryana that as per the decision taken in the 20th Governing Body Meeting of Shivalik Development Board held on 23-04-2015, the Annual Action Plan of 2015-16 was putup on hold for not being in tune with the decisions taken in the meeting and directions were given to the Deputy Commissioners to send the revised Annual Action Plan 2015-16 within a month. Now the Revised Annual Action Plan 2015-16 of Rs. 2964.00 lacs which is prepared in compliance with the decisions taken in the Board Meeting has been approved by the ACS & FCR on 09-07-15. The schemes of the Forest Department on Watershed Management amounting to Rs. 1569.00 lacs have been approved by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Haryana, Panchkula and also by Principal Secretary to Govt. of Haryana, Forest Department, Chandigarh. Hon’ble Chief Minister desired that hence forth the priority mandate of SDB be considered for planning and coordination of various activities with the relevant department.

Hon’ble Chief Minister further observed that the development of Tourism and Eco Tourism in hilly areas and forest areas can serve the cause of local people in the employment generation and economic upliftment. Mr. M.P. Sharma, IFS informed that Eco Tourism in Forest Area can be taken as forestry activity and could not be taken as commercial venture without permission under FCA. Dr. S.S. Jattan, IFS clarified that Eco Tourism can be taken as commercial activity also and as many other states are doing it in the forest areas. It was also disclosed that Forest Department, Haryana is planning to hand over the Eco Tourism assets to Haryana Forest Development Corporation for its operation and management. Capt. Bhupinder Singh OSD to CM added that the status of Eco Tourism assets in the Forest Department be maintained as such till further detailed discussion in the matter at Govt. level. Hon’ble Chief Minister also desired that the Forest Department should engage the consultants for adding professional approach in Eco tourism in operation and management by Forest Department. It was also reiterated that a interconnecting road from Kalesar to Kalka be planned in such a way that it covers all the foot hills. The tourism and ecotourism destination should also be planned accordingly. It was further desired that the role of Chairman, SDA is to coordinate with Forest, PWD, Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Irrigation and Tourism Departments for the planning and execution of priorities activities. It was directed the SDA will engage the services of consultants of relative fields and get the development plan drafted in coordination with respective departments keeping in view the priority of the area and also ensure its implementation by the department. The consultant so engaged will take into account the present status of population of this region as emerged in the social-economic survey due recently.

Adi Badri and Lohgarh areas are of great historical importance. Hon’ble Chief Minister desired that it need special attention of all the departments for the holistic development of these areas.

Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal, IAS Principal Secretary to CM again reiterated that as decided in the 20th Governing Body Meeting of SDB held on 23-04-2015 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble CM-cum-Chairman, SDB the Rest Houses of Forest Department be opened for common public use and possibility of taking up Sky Diving activities around Mandana, Morni needs to be studied. He further desired that information of forests trails, ecotourism facilities and other adventure activities be made public. He desired that the Forest Department to make a plan popularizing all such activities at the earliest and also make these available to public easily, PCCF assured the action at the earliest.

Hon’ble Chief Minister clarified that hence forth the role of SDB will be that of a facilitator. SDA will invest for vision development and ensure that the respective departments get their financial plans enhanced accordingly for getting it executed without any delay.

Meeting ended with thanks to the Chair.

List of officers participated in the Meeting.

  1. Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal, IAS, P.S. to CM.
  2. Capt. Bupinder Singh OSD to CM.
  3. Smt. Neelam P. Kasni, IAS, Commissioner Ambala-cum-Chairperson, SDA.
  4. Dr. S.S. Jattan, IFS, PCCF, Haryana.
  5. Sh. R.K. Sapra, IFS, PCCF-cum- MD HFDC, Haryana.
  6. Sh. K.S. Chauhan, IFS, APCCF(P).
  7. Sh. R.K. Singh, IFS, CCF(P-1) Haryana, Panchkula.
  8. Sh. R.S. Rapria, Addl. Director Agriculture (Soil Conservation).
  9. Sh. M.P. Sharma, IFS, CF, North Circle, Haryana, Panchkula.
  10. Smt. Pratima Chaudhary, HCS, C.E.O., SDA.
  11. Sh. Anand Tayal, Administrative Officer, SDA.