Rs 34 cr project submitted for restoration of wetlands: Chaudhary Lal Singh

Massive conservation of Wullar Lake to be taken up shortly

5 Dariya News

Jammu 17-Jan-2017

Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Chaudhary Lal Singh informed the house that the state government has submitted a project report of Rs 34.04 crore to the Centre for eco-restoration of wetlands in the state.Replying to a question by Mohammad Muzaffar Parray in the upper house, the Minister said the proposal has been submitted under National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-Systems (NPCA).  He said under the project the eco-restoration measures of Hokersar, Haigam and allied wetlands would be taken up after approval of funds from the Centre. He said the project report among other things contemplates to dredge out slit from out fall channels of Haigam, Mirgund and Chatlum wetlands for which Rs 5.62 crore has been envisaged. He said besides, one Water Master Classic IV has also been proposed for dredging of all critically silted areas in wetlands.The Forest Minister informed that currently Wild Protection Department is managing 15 notified wetlands out of which 8 wetlands namely Haigam, Mirgund, Shallabugh, Freshkori, Manibugh, Chatlum, Kranchoo and Hokersar are in Kashmir region and three wetlands Surinsar-Mansar, Gharana and Ranjit Sagar are in Jammu region. He said four wetlands Pingong lake, Tsomoriri, Tsokar Tso and Tsigul Tso are in  Ladakh region.The Minister said Wullar lake is managed by Wullar Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA). He said that massive conservation process will start very soon on Wullar lake by way of dredging and axing of remaining willow trees to bring the lake in its original shape. He said government would also take all necessary steps for eviction of encroached land of Wullar Lake and other wetlands in the state.Chaudhary Lal Singh said that under the lake conservation project, Rs 60 lakh has been released by the Centre of which Rs 27 crore were utilized so far on its conservation.