To ensure planned construction and conservation of water bodies and making villages clean and polythene free, the Minister for Rural development and Panchyati Raj, Abdul Haq on Tuesday launched state-wide “My Village, My World” campaign at Delina Baramulla.Minister for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs, Relief and Rehabilitation, Syed Basharat Bukhari, MLA, Baramulla, Mr. Javid Hassan Baig besides Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Director Rural Sanitation, Director Rural development, SSP Baramula, officers of district administration and Rural development department, Panchayat representatives and students were present on the occasion.The campaign also took off across the State at districts and Panchayat levels in each village in their respective areas.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Haq said that campaign is aimed to make environment of rural areas of the State hygienic and healthy besides ensuring planned development of rural areas, preservation and conservation of water bodies and polythene free environs in the villages.The Minister said growing urbanization, haphazard constructions, social volatility and environmental degradation have adversely affected the support systems of human life – agriculture and tourism - to such an extent that with every passing day the situation is going from bad to worse not only in the urban areas but in the rural areas as well. “And if we fail to act now, we will have to face the adverse consequences” he said.The Minister said that unplanned constructions in rural areas is resulting in adverse impact on our natural and built environment including encroachment of roads, choking of streams and springs, incompatible land use and excessive use of natural resources. “We have decided to regulate constructions in the rural areas to prevent haphazard growth,” he said.Mr. Haq said under the initiative of ‘My Village, My World’, the Rural Development Department is embarking on a mission envisaging creation of awareness about planned constructions in rural areas, removal of polythene from every village Panchayat, and protection of water bodies rivers, streams, nallahs and springs.
He said most of the constructions in the rural areas also lack in terms of safety, sanitation and the basic norms. “We have to promote rural settlements that are safe, functional and accessible, enhance the living standards and the quality of lives of our people and at the same time preserve the natural and cultural landscape of our rural areas,” he said.Mr. Haq said that the campaign will continue from today and “My Village, My World”compaign will be observed every year on August 04
in the state. The Minister said that cash prize of Rs 2 lakh will be given to 6 Panchayats of the State, 2 from each region including Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh for successfull implementation of the campaign. Minister for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs, Relief and Rehabilitation Syed Basharat Bukhari, MLA, Baramulla, Mr. Javid Hassan Baig also spoke on the occasion.Students from various educational institutions also threw light on “My Village, My World” campaign and highlighted the importance of the campaign through speeches, short skitS, Ladishah and other mesmerizing programmes.Earlier, the Minister lit the torch and released the “My Village, My World” campaign logo.