Governor N.N. Vohra, Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), today reviewed with Sh. Umang Narula, CEO, SASB, progress of the ongoing week long Sanitation cum Camp Cleaning Drive (2nd to 9th August 2017) which was launched by the Shrine Board on his directions. CEO informed Governor that the Sanitation Drive was commenced simultaneously at all the Yatra Camps and along the Yatra tracks with the active cooperation of the Anantnag and Ganderbal District Administrations, Chief Executive Officers of Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) and Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA); Sub Divisional Magistrate Pahalgam and Municipality Committee Pahalgam.CEO informed Governor that the Sanitation Drive being carried out in all the Camps and on the Yatra tracks in a well coordinated manner under the personal supervision of the Camp Directors, Additional Camp Directors, Deputy Camp Directors and representatives of the various State Government Departments deployed in the Yatra Camps. All plastic and other non-biodegradable wastes are being collected from the tracks and along the hill slopes and brought down to Baltal and Nunwan where these materials are crushed in the shredding machines specially installed for this purpose. CEO further stated that as directed by the Governor the Camp Directors Nunwan and Baltal are devoting special attention to ensure complete cleanliness all along the banks of rivers Lidder and Sind .
Governor was further informed that, as per his directions, Additional CEO, General Manager, (Works) and General Manager (Sanitation) of the Shrine Board have made visits to Baltal, Domel and both the tracks to monitor the Sanitation Drive. Also, CEO, PDA visited Sheshnag, Panjtarni and Holy Cave to monitor the Cleanliness Drive.Appreciating the work already done under the ongoing Sanitation Drive Governor directed CEO to keep a close watch to ensure cleanliness and sanitation in all Camps and along the track and ensure against any waste/ plastic materials being thrown into the nullahs. Governor further directed that Camp Directors, Additional Camp Directors, Deputy Camp Directors, CEOS of PDA and SDA and the head of each involved Agency should ensure that after the conclusion of the Yatra, on 7th August, all bio-degradable and non-biodegradable wastes, including plastic wastes, are disposed off in accordance with the Action Plan already approved by him.CEO informed the Governor that, in order to discourage the use of Plastic Bottles in the Yatra area, 20 stainless steel Water Storage Tanks (Water Dispensers) have been installed at various locations in Baltal, Nunwan, Chandanwari and on the Baltal route. For facilitating the segregation and collection of biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes, the Shrine Board has installed 876 dustbins in the various Camps in two distinct colors- Blue for Non- Bio-degradable & Green for Bio-degradable- in addition to 100 Bottle Catchers for collection of empty bottles at various locations in the Camps and enroute the tracks.