Budgam/Srinagar, November 08 (Scoop News) – In one of the important urban oriented meeting of all concerned experts, presided over by Minister for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Aga Syed Ruhullah, it was unanimously observed that attention is required to be given to develop Budgam as most modern satellite and one of the mega important cities of the State.
Deputy Commissioner, Mohammad Rafi, Director Local Bodies, Khawaja Farooq Renzu Shah, Chief Town Planner, senior officers of R&B, local bodies. Revenue, Agriculture and other departments were present in the meeting held here the other day.
The Chief Town Planner gave power point presentation of concept of Master Plan for the Budgam town on the occasion.
The master plan has made provision for earmarking large chunk of land for residential, commercial purposes and for public utilities.
Deputy Commissioner, Budgam and Director Local Bodies expressed concern for random cutting of trees in certain areas and for imposition of blanket ban on unauthorized units which have played havoc in the environment. Similarly, they have proposed earmarking of separate chunk of land for brick kilns as the Budgam is the largest brick producing district, but special attention needs to be given towards the protection of environment.
Director Local Bodies pointed out that land used has been transferred in certain areas without authorization from Agriculture to commercial plantation of Russian Poplar tress which have rendered the land infertile, as Russian Poplar trees have been scientifically proved disastrous for Kashmir environment. Blanket ban may be imposed for import of such plants which have created environmental problems in such districts.
The Minister, Aga Syed Ruhullah, while addressing concerned experts emphasized for saving the natural karewas of the district which are a part of beautiful landscape of the district.
He also said that special attention may be given to protect the wetlands, not to allow filling of ditches of wetland by excavating natural karewas of the district. He said the team of master plan should make survey of all the karewas and ensure that all the karewas are protected. He said that R&B department should speed up the pace of completion of link roads and town roads, which have not yet been developed on modern lines so that double and triple laning system is introduced in the district.