Jammu, January 14(Vijay Kumar):-J&K Chief MinisterOmar Abdulla said that World famous Wullar Lake is not only a historic lake but its eco-friendly importance for the entire Kashmir valley is of significant importance. Therefore, while executing Wullar conservation plan, expert groups should be involved, he added.
“There is need to take comprehensive and holistic view with regard to conservation of lakes, having paramount value in eco-friendly environment”, said Omar Abdullah while presiding over meeting here today for Wullar conservation
The meeting was attended by Forest Minister, Mian Altaf Ahmad, Chief Secretary, S. S. Kapur, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Khursheed Ahmad Ganai, Commissioner Secretary, Forests, Shantmanu, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Jagdesh Keshwan, Chairman, Pollution Control Board, Vinod Ranjan and other senior officers.
The Chief Minister said that the time had come to give more attention towards our environment and take all such steps which will not only help in maintaining eco-balance of all such precious water bodies but also help in shaping them as the most attractive and captivating sites. He said we should not have any hesitation in acknowledging the fact that least attention was given towards such places in past.
Omar expressed his thanks to the Central Government for massive financial help which the State has received in different sectors, including sanction of environment oriented projects. He said that the Central Government has already sanctioned Rs. 356 crore for Dal conservation. He further said that under lake conservation programmes serious attention is being paid to develop Sanasar, Mansar, Wullar and other water bodies of the State. He said that even the projects which have been prepared for drudging of main rivers of the State shall also help in improving the water quality flowing through such rivers.
The Chief Minister said that while executing Rs 386 crore Wullar Conservation Project all concerned authorities and agencies should keep in mind the mistakes committed in past with regard to maintenance and preservation of such water bodies and be more vigilant henceforth accordingly. They should ensure that all necessary survey and ground research should be made in close association with reputed experts on these subjects.
The meeting was informed that among other lakes of the State, the DPR for Rs 386 crore projects for conservation of Wullar Lake has been prepared and appropriate ground level actions have already been started so that this historical lake is saved from degradation. The meeting also decided that proper survey through experts should be made about uprooting of some trees which are causing damage to the lake and simultaneously re-plantation drive to be launched around the lake in a systematic and scientific manner. One Nodal Officer of the Forest Department will coordinate all such activities.
The Chief Minister was also presented the prestigious Indira Priyadarshni Vriksha Mitra Award received by J&K.
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