EC calls for a well-knit strategy to save environment in J&K

Srinagar,July 5 (Scoop News)-A meeting of Environment Committee of J&K Legislative Council was held here on Thursday under the Chairmanship Dr. Syed Bashir Ahmed Shah (Veeri) and discussed the State Action Plan on climate change and other issues pertaining to the conservation of environment in the State.
MLCs Syed Mohammad Rafiq Shah, Naresh Kumar Gupta, Mohammad Muzaffer Parray and Vijay Bakaya also attended the meeting.
A threadbare discussion was held on varieties of issues concerning the environment in the State and Committee stressed the need for a well-knit strategy to conserve the environment and maintaining the ecological balance. The Committee opined that during the past over two decades, the State has suffered substantially due to lack of planning to conserve environment and deforestation which has caused environment hazard, especially on the Dal and other natural resources. The Committee maintained that Jammu and Kashmir has been blessed with rich natural resources and healthy environment and all out efforts should be made to protect these with the coordinated approach and involvement of various stakeholders.
Welcoming several steps initiated by the Central and State Governments to save the rich environment of State and its water bodies, the Committee sought the support of the civil society for the noble cause. It was observed that environment is not the concern of only Government, but entire society has to contribute to save it for the coming generations. The Committee laid stress on creating greater awareness amongst the masses through various mediums to conserve the environment.
Chairman called for undertaking fresh survey of industrial estates, sites of various factories, Stone Crushers, Brick Killen to ascertain the quantum of pollution emanating from these sources so that measures are initiated accordingly. He also expressed concern over shrinking of wet lands (Haigam Rakh), Dal and Wuller Lakes and other water bodies and urged the authorities to put in place the necessary measures for their preservation.
The Members contributed with their valuable suggestions on the issue.
Commissioner Secretary, Forest, Mr Ejaz Iqbal briefed the Committee about the activities, achievements and steps initiated to protect the environment in the State.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Vinod Ranjan, Chief Wild Life Warden, A. K. Singh, Director, Environment and Remote Sensing, Suresh Chugh, Chairman, SPCB, Mr Arun Kumar Tikku, Regional Director, Environment and Remote and Sensing, Mr Liaqat A. Dar, Deputy Excise Commissioner, Kashmir, Tasaduq Jeelani, besides officers and officials of concerned departments and Council Secretariat were also present the meeting.
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