Jammu (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir administration today held a meeting of J&K Wetland Authority to chalk out strategy for conservation and management of wetlands where it was decided that Wular, Dal, Nigeen, Sanasar, Manasbal lakes, besides Purmandal village in Samba district will be declared as wetlands.
The meeting was chaired by J&K Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam. Apart from the five lakes, Purmandal, a village located on the Devika River in Samba district, will also be declared as protected wetlands under the strategy.
During the meeting, Subrahmanyam impressed upon the nodal department to identify the wetlands for conservation in accordance with the provisions of concerning rules and regulations, according to an official statement.
Directions were issued to bring Wular, Dal, Nigeen, Sanasar, Manasbal lakes and Purmandal under protection and conservation as protected wetlands.
The Chief Secretary also directed the Forest Department which is the nodal department for preparation of digital inventory, documentation and development of geo-spatial database on wetlands to profile various wetlands of Jammu & Kashmir and subsequently, recommend their notification under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and Wetland (Conversation & Management) Rules, 2017.
At the meeting, the department was asked to evolve a strategy for regulation of activities within the notified wetlands and their zone of influence, besides recommending conservation plans for sustainable use of water resources.
It was also informed that there are a total of 3,754 water bodies in Jammu & Kashmir which are being regulated by different departments and agencies including forest, wildlife, soil & water conservation, and local government bodies.
Administrative Secretaries of Departments of Revenue, Rural Development, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture Production and Farmers’ Welfare, Forest, Ecology & Environment, Jal Shakti and Tourism, along with Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Director, J&K Pollution Control Board, and other non official members of the Wetland Authority participated in the meeting.
-RJV
