Shimla, 25 December
Pine needle products of the JICA forestry project became the first choice of tourists in the 10-day winter carnival organized in Hill queen Shimla. Cheaper and chemical-free products than the market are being sold in large numbers in two stalls of the JICA forestry project on the Ridge grounds. Products of two self-help groups associated with the project have been brought here for sale. Pine needle products of Radhe Krishna Self Help Group Ghanahatti are being sold under Forest Range Taradevi Shimla. Although the Shimla Winter Carnival will run till 2 January 2025, the products of the JICA forestry project attracted the tourists who arrived here on the very first day. On the demand of the people, the Jagat Janani Self Help Group Taranda under the Nichar Forest Range of District Kinnaur brought Chulli oil, Lingaad pickle, Koda flour, walnuts, salted tea, apple jam, caps, stalls, and other products for sale. Apart from this, a long queue of tourists is also seen to eat Siddu, the famous dish of Upper Shimla. Chief Project Director of the Forestry Project, Sameer Rastogi, praised all the self-help groups who came to show enthusiasm in bad weather and freezing.
