Implementation of new initiatives for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine

 Jammu, February 12 (Scoop News) –  The Governor,  N. N. Vohra, reviewed the progress of the several new initiatives launched by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in the past two years for the beautification and protection of environment of the entire tracks in the Shrine area and continuously expanding and upgrading the facilities to be provided for the visiting pilgrims.

            The review meeting involved  R. K. Goyal, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, Dr. M. K.  Bhandari, Additional CEO and other senior officers of the Board here today.

            Among the schemes reviewed in today’s meeting was the campaign to plant trees, flowering bushes and flowers, install waste management plants and launch measures to stabilize the hilly slopes in the Holy Shrine area to ensure against landslides and shooting stones which have been causing injuries to Yatris at certain spots. 

             The Governor, who is the Chairman of the Shrine Board, issued instructions to the CEO to further speed up the on-going activities to ensure time-bound implementation of the various programmes under execution.

Briefing the Governor about the implementation of the recommendations of the TERI, a reputed Delhi based organization, in regard to the solid waste and waste water management projects,  Goyal informed that Expression of Interest is being invited for this purpose. He said that the Shrine Board, at the initiative of the Governor, has engaged THDC India Ltd, a Government of India Undertaking, for under-taking all measures to scientifically treat the vulnerable portions of the hill slopes along the track, on the basis of geological survey and investigations, as a long term measure to ensure against falling stones. He added that THDC is a known organization of repute and has vast experience of setting up hydro-electric power projects and undertaking slope stabilization works.

            Under the continuing plantation drive launched by the Shrine Board on the directions of the Governor, the CEO reported that over 60,000 saplings of various species of trees and flowering plants had been planted during the past 9 months in the Shrine area. He added that over 60 kgs seed of varied species of flowers had also been broadcast in the Shrine area during the same period. He informed that in addition to the afforestation efforts, several measures aimed at preventing forest fires, including the pruning of trees and removal of lantana from the vulnerable areas, have been taken.

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