Admin calls for organizing Bird Festival in Shallabugh wetlands
GANDERBAL: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ganderbal Shyambir on Friday chaired a meeting of concerned officers to discuss the restoration of Shallabugh wetlands and revival of other water bodies in the district.
During the meeting threadbare discussion was held regarding the restoration/ rejuvenation of Shallabugh wetlands and revival of other water bodies in the district.
The officials of J&K Wetland Authority briefed the DC about the Integrated Management Plan for scientific management of Shallabugh wetland and said that various works are identified for conservation and management of the wetland.
Brief discussion was held upon the works identified including Water Ways for navigation, water regulatory gates, bio-diversity conservation, construction of ring bund for tapping of water, watch towers and other works for development of eco-tourism in the area.
While interacting with the officers the DC said that this year district administration is proposing to organize a First-of-its-kind Bird Festival in Shallabugh wetland which would be instrumental in development of eco-tourism in the area and provide opportunities of livelihood to the locals.
He directed all the concerned departments to prepare action plan jointly on priority covering all aspects required for the successful conduct of the festival.
He urged the J&K Wetland Authority to expedite the work progress on identified works to complete them on time besides work on ring bund shall be completed in stipulated time which will be instrumental in tapping water in wetland.
Speaking on the occasion, the DC stressed upon all the concerned to take innovative ideas in conservation and preservation of Shallabugh wetland which is a bird paradise so that its pristine glory is restored for maintaining ecological balance and overall development of the area.
Meanwhile the meeting also reviewed the rival of identified water bodies in the district and it was informed that 83 water bodies are identified for conservation out of which 31 water bodies are already revived besides work on other water bodies is also going on in full swing.
The DC gave necessary instructions regarding the revival of water bodies in the district and urged the concerned departments to ensure conservation works on all identified water bodies are completed in stipulated time frame.
The meeting was attended by ADDC, Mushtaq Ahmad Simnani, CEO Wullar Manasbal Development Authority, ACR, ACD, DFO Wetlands, Exen I&FC, District Officer, pollution Control Board, Range Officer, Shallabugh Wetlands and other concerned.
Later, the DC Ganderbal also chaired a meeting of District Level Plastic Waste Management Cell at VC Room of DC Office, here.
At the outset, threadbare discussions were held on the action plan of Plastic Waste Management and present status with regard to implementation of the Action Plan to eliminate the plastic waste in the district.
After a threadbare discussion, the DC gave necessary instruction for elimination of single use plastic from all places including Govt. Offices, schools and colleges in the district.
To implement the Action Plan on ground, the DC directed the Municipal Council Ganderbal to prepare the list of shops who are selling plastic material for marriage purposes and guide them to use eco-friendly biodegradable substitutes for single use plastic and polythene.
Divisional Officer, Pollution Control Board was directed to keep vigil if any supplier is involved in transporting single use plastic and polythene from outside districts and action as per law shall be initiated against such persons involved.
On the occasion, the DC called for mass mobilization for elimination of sing use plastic and stressed upon the concerned authorities for taking measures so that the plastic waste is properly and adequately collected, segregated and reprocessed.
The authorities of all Colleges of the district were asked to start sanitation drives in nearest villages/areas involving their own resources, PRIs and civil societies so that such villages are made garbage free to preserve the ecological balance.
KV News
