Minister for Forests, Ecology & Environment, Bali Bhagat convened two separate meetings of officers to review the functioning of Department of Soil & Water Conservation and Wildlife Protection Departments here today.Senior officers of both the departments from Kashmir Valley including Chief Wildlife Warden, Deepak Khanna and Director, Soil & Water Conservation, Ravi Kesar attended the meeting.While taking review of Soil & Water Conservation, the Minister said that the Department has been tasked with a very important role to conserve the natural resources which are directly connected with the life of human beings and other living creatures and it is mandatory on the part of every functionary to contribute for this noble cause to secure better future.
Referring to the constant degradation of environment, pollution in different forms, massive soil erosion due to flash floods and developmental activities, the Minister said that Department must identify the causes responsible for these and come out with some concrete and innovative ideas to deal with such issues. He stressed the need for a coordinated effort with the involvement of various stakeholders to minimise loss to the natural resources. He said the department should keep close watch on the activities of executing agencies to ensure that the natural resources and soil erosion chances are minimised. Necessary protection works must be carried out by the concerned executing agencies while undertaking developmental activities like roads, power projects, railway and other allied works, the Minister asserted.
Earlier, Mr. Ravi Kesar briefed the Minister about the achievements and initiatives taken to prevent soil erosion, flood threats and conservation of water and other natural resources across the State.While discussing the functioning of Wildlife Protection Department, the Minister called upon the concerned to come up with a concrete strategy to effectively deal with the ever increasing man-animal conflict incidents. He said the incidents of wild animal attack on human beings and domestic animals are taking place frequently in some areas, particularly in Doda, Kupwara and Budgam districts, and created a great sense of restless among the people. It’s a serious issue and needs to be dealt firmly.The Minister called for close coordination among agencies like Forest Protection Force, Police and local administration to prevent such attacks and save human lives. He suggested the department should identify vulnerable areas and take extra-ordinary steps to save the human lives.
Meanwhile, the Minister constituted a committee for the better management of wildlife sanctuaries in the state. The Committee shall comprise local MLA, 2 NGOs, representatives of Panchayat, 3 individuals of the area. The Committee besides better management and upkeep will make its suggestions for improving the facilities relating to the functioning of sanctuaries.Issues related to the protection of wetland, bird sanctuaries, implementation of existing Wildlife Act and overall working of the department were also discussed in detail. The Minister assured to examine all outstanding issues of the department afresh and addressing the same on merit.Mr. Deepak Khanna gave detailed account of the activities of the department.