Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, today chaired a meeting to review and deliberate upon the Environment Management Plan (EMP) of KGHEP and to discuss related measures, DPRs, and inter-departmental coordination mechanisms.
During the meeting, detailed deliberations were held on the Site Sustainability Analysis of Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) structures in District Bandipora under the ‘Catch the Rain’ programme, which forms a crucial component of environmental management and water resource conservation.
The Deputy Commissioner emphasized the importance of rainwater harvesting in addressing water scarcity affecting people, livestock, and the agriculture sector. She stressed the need for optimal utilization of available funds and directed concerned departments to ensure timely execution of works so that identified projects are completed well before the onset of the monsoon season.
The meeting reviewed the inventory of existing rainwater harvesting structures, including farm ponds, field bunds, and other water conservation assets across the district. Threadbare discussions were also held on land use and land cover classification of the district, covering agricultural cropland, plantation areas, built-up areas, fallow land, forests, grasslands, scrubland, snow-covered areas, wastelands, and waterbodies.
It was informed that a total of 220 sites have been proposed for the creation of new water harvesting structures in accordance with IMSD guidelines. The Deputy Commissioner directed that proper ground-truthing of all proposed sites be undertaken to ensure technical feasibility, suitability, and long-term sustainability.
She further instructed the Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing (DEERS) to submit relevant data from the NRSC Bhuvan portal for comprehensive analysis and monitoring. Extensive discussions were held on the types of structures to be constructed, site selection criteria, estimated costs, community participation, implementation methodology, timelines, and the role of the Groundwater Board.
The Soil and Water Conservation Department, in coordination with DEERS, SKUAST-Kashmir, and the Forest Department, was tasked with providing technical inputs and ensuring effective inter-departmental convergence. Emphasis was laid on systematic data analysis, regular monitoring of existing and proposed structures, and timely submission of updated information by all concerned departments.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Assistant Commissioner Development Bandipora (PO IWMP), Chief Planning Officer Bandipora, DFO Soil and Water Conservation Bandipora, Chief Agriculture Officer Bandipora, Executive Engineer I&FC/PHE Bandipora, representative of JKDEERS, and subject specialists from SKUAST-Kashmir. The Regional Director Kashmir PCC, DFO CAT Bandipora, and Executive Engineer Ground Water Division Kashmir attended the meeting through virtual mode.