A two member team comprising United Nations Development Programme (India), Deputy Country Director, Dr Preeti Soni and Programme Analyst (Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management) Energy and Environment Unit, Ruchi Pant today called on several Ministers and Government functionaries of Jammu and Kashmir to discuss the developmental scenario of the State, hoping to launch various community-based initiatives and interventions across the Himalayan region.The two member team met Minister for Animal, Sheep Husbandry and Fisheries, Abdul Gani Kohli at his office in which the delegates discussed various matters related to the farming and increasing production in sheep and fisheries sectors. The Minister asked them to explore the possibilities of working with the farming community of the far off areas of the State and also help the Government to do prestigious project on angling in Fisheries sector.The UNDP delegates also hoped that possibilities would be explored on how best UNDP could support in the better implementation of these projects across Jammu and Kashmir.
The delegates also met Minister for Social Welfare, ARI and Trainings, Science and Technology, Sajjad Lone at his official residence to discuss various initiatives launched under his Ministry. Lone asked the delegates to help Government in shaping up the professional atmosphere in various departments and Corporations across the State.In another meeting with the Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar, the delegates said that UNDP works in almost 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the targets on eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion.Earlier the team also met Commissioner Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Kifayat Hussain Rizvi, Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation, Shah Faesal, Mission Director, Jammu and Kashmir State Rural Livelihood Mission, Dr GN Qasba among other senior officials.
The delegates informed the officials that UNDP help countries and Stases to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. The delegates informed that areas like human development, from democratic governance to poverty eradication, to sustainable energy and environmental management would remain their core competence and interest. They said that UNDP’s programmes are aligned with national priorities and are reviewed and adjusted annually.“We promote an integrated approach to achieve sustainable development that tackles the connected issues of multidimensional poverty, inequality and exclusion, and sustainability, while enhancing knowledge, skills and production technologies to reduce risks and sustain development gains,” they said. “We help States to build their capacity to integrate environmental considerations into development plans and strategies, including through managing and sustainably using natural resources; ensuring that natural wealth is used to improve people’s lives; promoting economic recovery and livelihoods, and better targeting policies and social protection for those in need,” they informed.