Environment friendly industry to get priority in JK: Altaf

 Jammu, February 14 (Scoop News) –   The Minister for Forests and Environment Mian Altaf Ahmed today said that   the government will not compromise on the environment for the developmental activities and instead focus on sustainable development of the state.  

                Speaking at the inauguration of newly constructed District Pollution Control Board Office cum Laboratory building at Samba, the Minister asked the Environment watch dog agencies to take all environmental issues in consideration, while clearing the development and manufacturing projects. He said that the development, including industrialization was imperative for the economic growth but it cannot be   made at the expense of the environment which is basic for the survival of the human beings.

                The Minister assured that the investors, including multinational companies coming for establishment of their units will dully facilitate provided they adhere to the set norms for the environmental protection. He said the National Conference led coalition was keen to accelerate the industrialization of the state and “We are here to facilitate the process in the larger interest of the people as opening of new industry would generate employment”. He stressed on to opt for environmental friendly industry and said that clean and green environment of the state is a booster for tourism industry which also supports a large population of the state.

The district Pollution office has been completed at a cost of Rs 23 .36 lakh which has a full-fledged laboratory and an Air monitoring station atop. The Minister also released pamphlets containing environment awareness messages for the distribution among the industrial units, local traders and general public.

Asking the pollution control authorities to work dedicatedly for the protection of the environment, he asked them to make their offices fully equipped with the environmental monitoring devices so that the norms are implemented strictly. He appreciated the work of the PCB and stressed the need for taking more measures in making the Jammu and Kashmir a pollution free state.

Commissioner/Secretary Forest  Shantmunu, Chairman, Pollution Control Board (PCB),  Lal Chand, District Development Commission, Samba  Mubarak Singh, Secretary PCB  Arun Tikoo and Regional Director PCB  Showkat Choudhary were also present on the occasion.

The Minister, Commissioner Secretary and chairman PCB planted saplings in the premises of the newly constructed office to mark launch of plantation drive in the district.

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