Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, today chaired a meeting to review the progress of demarcation of the Hokarsar Wetland, a designated Ramsar Site, being carried out by Revenue and allied departments.
The meeting was attended by the ACR Budgam, Afroza Bano; SDM (West) Srinagar, Irfan Bahadur; SDPO Magam, DFO Photo Interpretation Division J&K, DFO Settlement & Demarcation Srinagar, Range Officer Hokarsar, Naib Tehsildar Regional Director Survey & Land Records Srinagar, and Settlement Assistant, Regional Director S&LR Srinagar.
During the meeting, the DC reviewed in detail the current status of field verification, boundary assessment, geo-referenced mapping, and availability of relevant records with each department. He stressed the importance of accurate, scientific, and dispute-free demarcation to ensure long-term conservation and legal protection of the wetland.
The DC emphasised strict adherence to the on directions, calling for enhanced coordination between Revenue, Forest, Police, and Survey & Land Records teams. He directed officers to remove any bottlenecks in the ongoing process and maintain close inter-departmental communication for seamless progress.
The DC further instructed the concerned agencies to submit updated status reports, expedite pending tasks, and ensure that the demarcation exercise is completed in a transparent, time-bound, and technically sound manner.
He reiterated that Hokarsar Wetland, being a Ramsar Site of international ecological importance, must be protected through robust management and clear boundary identification to prevent encroachment and ensure its ecological sustainability.