Reviews measures for conservation of Wular Lake
The Diplomat Desk
JAMMU, TDD: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmad Rana, today emphasised strenuous efforts for making Jammu Kashmir Forest Development Corporation Limited (JKFDCL), a self reliant and profit earning organisation.
The Minister was chairing a meeting held to review the performance and functioning of JKFDCL at Civil Secretariat here.
While addressing the meeting, Javed Rana said that the JKFDCL has huge potential for revenue generation and steps should be taken for making the corporation self reliant.
Emphasising the need for utilising the assets more effectively making JKFDCL much profitable entity, the Minister stated that there is no dearth of resources but the need is to optimally explore and exploit those for enhanced revenue generation. He called for immediate and long term interventions for limiting the import of timber. He asked the JKFDCL to initiate slew of measures to meet the timber requirement in J&K from our own resources while maintaining the ecological balance.
The Minister also asked for development of barren lands saying that more focus should be laid on conservation and social forestry in non-forest areas. He also instructed the officials to prevent occurrence of forest fires.
During the meeting, Managing Director JKFDCL gave a presentation about the functioning highlighting the challenges faced by the Corporation. He said that JKFDCL is meeting the requirement of timber and fire wood for locals besides ensuring supply to government departments.
Javed Rana also reviewed the conservation measures undertaken for cleaning and beautification of Wular Lake. He emphasised the importance of wetlands for maintaining ecological balance. He said that wetlands play a vital role in water purification, flood control and providing habitat for biodiversity.
He directed the officials to develop and undertake all necessary measures that address the challenges faced by the lake besides promoting sustainable use of these resources. He called for taking all necessary measures to preserve and conserve the Wular Lake. He also asked the officers to explore sustainable ways for generating revenue from the water body. He said that a survey should be conducted on the thriving fish species in the lake and migratory birds and other food products like water chestnuts and lotus stems, that provide sustenance to 30 surrounding villages.
Considering the adverse climatic conditions, Javed Rana said that there is an enhanced need for improving the water quality of the lake, besides focusing on waste management from catchment areas. He said that Wular Lake is a safe heaven for migratory birds and strong vigilance be maintained against poaching of these birds.
During the meeting, CED WUCMA gave a detailed presentation highlighting ongoing conservation efforts besides various works targeted for the current financial year.
No: PR/DI/24/1790/
Government of Jammu and Kashmir
Department of Information
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Email: ddiprs@gmail.com
DC Srinagar holds Public Darbar at Banquet Hall; listens to issues of Traders, Transporters of City Centre
Directs Departments to redress all grievances on priority
SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 18: In an endeavor to listen to the grievances and demands of Traders and Transporters in City Centre, the Deputy Commissioner(DC) Srinagar, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat Wednesday presided over a Public Darbar under Public Outreach programme here at Banquet Hall.
Representatives of various Trade Associations, Transport Unions and other stakeholders were part of the Grievance Redressal cum interaction session.
Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Syed Ahmad Kataria, Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir, Qazi Irfan, General Manager DIC, Hameeda Akhtar, Chief Engineer, SSCCL, A Q Kirmani, Joint Commissioner SMC, Ghulam Jeelani, Chief Planning Officer, Fayaz Ahmad Dar and other Senior Officers of District Administration were present on the occasion.
During the Public Darbar, the representatives of Trade bodies lauded the District Administration Srinagar for conducting such a kind of public darbar cum grievance redressal programme to provide an appropriate platform to the Traders and Transporters to highlight their genuine issues.
At the outset, the traders raised various issues related to the development of City Centre Lal Chowk, Regal Chowk, Poloview, Maisuma, Hari Singh High Street, Gonikhan, Maharaj Bazar and other adjoining markets and sought intervention of Deputy Commissioner in redressing the same.
The Traders demanded for timely completion of development works taken up under Srinagar Smart City, augmentation of drainage system, operationalization and proper functioning of public washrooms and drinking water posts, adequate measures for cleanliness & sanitation of the market places, proper functioning of street lights etc.
They also called for providing adequate car parking facilities in different parts of the City to decongest the roads for smooth flow of traffic and business activities.
Similarly, the representatives of Transporter Unions put forth various issues regarding the welfare of transporters. They also raised the development issues regarding Parimpora Bus stand.
On the occasion, the DC gave a patient hearing to the members of the trader and transporter associations and assured them that all the issues raised during the public darbar will be looked into on priority basis and addressed in a time bound manner.
The DC also sought the replies from the concerned Officers present in the meeting and directed them to ensure early redressal of the issues flagged during the public darbar.TDD
