https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

For A Vintage Accommodation, Come To Parvati Division Forest In HP

IFS officer Aishwarya Raj has renovated many forest rest houses, offices and staff accommodation in the Parvati Division The aim is to beautify and restore the old charm of the forest life The rest houses that are renovated are in Kasol, Garsa valley and Bhuin
Indian Masterminds Stories

To glorify and bring back the old charm of the forest life that once used to be, IFS officer Aishwarya Raj who is the Deputy Conservator of Forest, Parvati Division has renovated and revamped many rest houses, offices and staff accommodation during past two years in Himachal Pradesh. 

REST HOUSE RENOVATION

Back in 2021, when Mr Raj joined the division, after the inspections of the ranges, he realized that they have a lot of infrastructure that was created several decades ago but was in dilapidated condition lying unused. Some rest houses are 100 years old. In addition, many forest guard quarters, field staff accommodation and check posts dated back to at least 50-70 years old. 

Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Mr Raj said, “I felt that instead of creating new infrastructure, where ever we have existing ones can be worked on reviving those, as they also have a value attached to them.” The rest houses that the forest department has renovated are in Garsa valley, Kasol, and Bhuin and were built between 1905-1909. 

Forest Guard Hut, Diyar

The idea was not to completely modernize it but to give it a traditional touch the way it was built back then. Mr Raj further said that there was a need for renovation in terms of the panelling, furniture, painting, fencing and protecting the area from biotic pressure. 

DIVISONAL OFFICE RENOVATION 

Not only the rest houses, but the officer has also renovated his own division office which was in a shabby condition when he joined as DCF here. Along with this, there is a petrol pump located right outside the office, almost 55 years old, which too has also been worked on.

Divisional Office Parvati

He mentioned that, back in those days, it was the only filling pump for the entire Himachal Pradesh belonging to Shell company. Shell had put the pump for the transportation timber across Himachal then part of Punjab.

HYGIENE & CLEANLINESS 

The administration is not renovating the rest houses only for tourism. Instead, it is to provide a safe and hygienic experience to the people who are visiting the place.  In these rest houses, the department has put out some pictures of famous forest places nearby, to help visitors plan their trip.

“The focus is to ensure hygiene and cleanliness as well as maintenance of these rest houses. We have tried to inculcate a sense of belonging and ownership amongst our field staff, so that they be extra careful with these renovated infrastructures,” the officer said. 

Garsa Forest Rest House

The booking for these rest houses is done through the eco-tourism website of Himachal Pradesh through which revenue is generated.  

TENTS IN KASOL

The forest division has also introduced tented accommodation in Kasol for people who want to experience the traditional mountain experience, which is more for backpackers and hitchhikers.  

Along with this, an old dysfunctional Van Thana is being converted into a Nature Conservation Centre Near Mohal Nature Park as a source of nature-learning for tourists and visitors.

Nature Conservation Centre

Sharing his experience, the officer says that it is a learning experience for everybody. “Wherever one is, you need to treat that place as your own home. My field staffs are happy with the developments that took place. It has been a very positive response and that also lead to improved staff behaviour,” Mr Raj concluded.  


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Chhattisgarh South Korea
CM Vishnu Deo Sai Meets ATCA in Seoul, ICCK Onboarded as Knowledge Partner for Chhattisgarh's Industrial Push
Rail News
Government Clears Rs 12,328 Crore Railway Upgrades to Enhance Connectivity, Logistics and Sustainability
100th Foundation Course LBSNAA
100th Foundation Course at LBSNAA Mussoorie Begins with 660 Officer Trainees from 19 Civil Services
Two crossed national flags on wooden table
India Ramps Up Lobbying in Washington Following US Dual Charge for Ambassador in India - Details Inside
PMO-building
Third Bureaucratic Shake-Up: Centre Set to Fill 19 Crucial Additional Secretary-Level Posts
WCL Western Coalfield
Leadership Boost: PESB Recommends SECL’s Sandeep Paranjape as Director (Technical) of Western Coalfields Ltd – Details Inside
REC Ltd
REC Limited Reports Record Rs15,713 Cr Profit in FY25 at 56th AGM; Releases ESG Sustainability Report
POWERGRID
POWERGRID Holds 36th Annual General Meeting Virtually, Highlights Strong Operational Performance & Future Growth Plans
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-25 at 13.56
Operation Hunt: IPS Dr. Karanraj Vaghela’s Mission to Nab Valsad’s Most Wanted
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Chhattisgarh South Korea
CM Vishnu Deo Sai Meets ATCA in Seoul, ICCK Onboarded as Knowledge Partner for Chhattisgarh's Industrial Push
Rail News
Government Clears Rs 12,328 Crore Railway Upgrades to Enhance Connectivity, Logistics and Sustainability
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-25 at 13.56
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT