- Calls for focussed soil conservation measures in Kalidhar Range
JAMMU: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, on Tuesday directed the officers to expedite completion of Water Supply Schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission besides accelerating irrigation and flood control projects in Akhnoor. The Minister was reviewing the functioning of Jal Shakti and Forest Departments during his visit to Akhnoor constituency.
Minister for Sports, Satish Sharma and local MLA Mohan Lal were also present on the occasion. The Minister emphasised the need for timely completion of water supply projects being executed under the Jal Jeevan Mission to provide tap water connections to every rural household. He exhorted upon the officers to ensure faster execution of works and better coordination among various agencies involved. He also called upon them for maintaining quality of works while executing these projects.
While calling for fast tracking irrigation projects to improve water availability for agricultural purposes, the Minister said that flood control projects need to be completed without any unnecessary delay. He emphasised the need for time bound completion of all projects pertaining to various departments and cautioned against any unnecessary delay in execution of vital works.
Maintaining that government has taken several initiatives for soil conservation in the Kalidhar Range, he called for more focused efforts, particularly in view of climate change challenges. The Minister called for prioritizing soil conservation measures along nallahs and undertaking afforestation efforts on barren patches in the Kalidhar Range. He said that these steps are crucial for environmental sustainability and will help prevent soil erosion and enhance biodiversity.
Javed Rana asked for increasing awareness regarding environment and soil protection and called for involvement of community for enhanced results. He asked the officers to chalk out a plan to increase the forest cover in the barren lands of Kalidhar range. He asked them to undertake afforestation by planting trees, which will not only provide livelihood opportunities but promote sustainable development and help mitigate climate change.
During his tour to Akhnoor, people handed over memorandums as well as individual requests to the Minister and demanded early resolution of their issues. Locals raised issues pertaining to Jal Shakti, Irrigation & Flood Control and Forest department. The Minister asked the officers to take local MLA's into confidence in preparation of DPRs of new works and implementation of government's schemes in the area. Javed Rana also called for making defunct hand pumps functional on priority basis to ensure that the general public does not suffer on this account.
