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• Lt Governor launches ‘Swachhta Pakhwada-2024’, felicitates Safaimitras at Srinagar
• LG emphasises on capacity building of Panchayat Secretaries and village level workers and IEC campaign towards behaviour change for success of the mission
• Swachhta Pakhwada is not just a campaign, it is a movement that embodies the spirit of a clean and healthy India which is inspired by the vision of Pujya Bapu and aims to instil a sense of responsibility and commitment towards maintaining cleanliness in our surroundings: LG
• J&K has done exceptional work in Swachh Bharat Mission (G) and the biggest challenge now is to sustain the efforts and maintain the infrastructures that have been created to ensure that J&K achieve the cleanest UT rank in the country: LG
• Different cleanliness drives have been planned under Swachhta Pakhwada and major thrust will be on the cleanliness of 186 identified tourist places in the UT, jointly by the Department of Rural Development, Housing & Urban Development and Tourism Department: LG
• Initiatives like Swachhta Banks and compost-making at household level to be promoted to encourage community participation: LG Sinha

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha today launched the 15-day long Swachhta Pakhwada ‘The Shuchita Sangram’ campaign, at Srinagar. At the opening ceremony of the campaign, the Lt Governor felicitated Safaimitras and lauded the significant contribution of Sanitation workers, citizens and all other stakeholders in Swachhta Abhiyan.

“Swachhta Pakhwada is not just a campaign, it is a movement that embodies the spirit of a clean and healthy India which is inspired by the vision of Pujya Bapu and aims to instil a sense of responsibility and commitment towards maintaining cleanliness in our surroundings,” the Lt Governor said. Highlighting cleanliness drives planned under Swachhta Pakhwada, the Lt Governor said the major thrust during the campaign will be on the cleanliness of 186 identified tourist places in the UT, jointly by the Department of Rural Development, Housing & Urban Development and Tourism Department.        

The Lt Governor emphasised on capacity building of Panchayat Secretaries and village-level workers and IEC campaign towards behaviour change for success of the mission. He directed the officials to focus on public awareness, particularly among students, about waste management, segregation, and its environmental impact.

The Lt Governor further stressed on encouraging community participation through initiatives like Swachhta Banks and compost-making at household level. Speaking on the exceptional work done by Jammu Kashmir in Swachh Bharat Mission (G), the Lt Governor said the biggest challenge now is to sustain the efforts and maintain the infrastructures that have been created to ensure that J&K achieve the cleanest UT rank in the country.

On the occasion, the Lt Governor gave four resolutions to the citizens of Jammu Kashmir- Villages & Wards should be Clean, Healthy, Green and there should be sufficient water in our Villages & Wards. He appealed to the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir to participate enthusiastically in the Swachhta Pakhwada and work towards promoting the use of safe sanitation practices and ensuring proper disposal of liquid and solid waste.

It is our collective responsibility that the home we live in, the office we work in, and our places of worship are clean, the Lt Governor said. There must be healthy competition in every Panchayat to achieve the goal of clean and green village and all Panchayats should lay special emphasis on innovative solutions to address the local challenges, he added.

The Lt Governor also highlighted the dedicated measures taken by the UT Administration, to realise Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Swachh Bharat. This year, 1000 community sanitary complexes will be built in rural areas by the Rural Sanitation department which will prove to be a milestone for the health and overall well-being of the citizens, he said.

The occasion witnessed the launch of series of initiatives by the Lt Governor including Shuchitasangram.in website for information and monitoring of Swachhta Pakhwada activities, signature campaign on Swachhta Pledge, Annual Implementation Plan FY 2024-25 under SBM(G), comic book on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and a 6-week training program for Panchayat Secretaries.

The Lt Governor also inaugurated various projects under SBM(G) and flagged off ‘Swachhta Karwaan’ under Swachhta Pakhwada. In presence of Lt Governor, Rural Sanitation and Agriculture Department inked a Memorandum of Understanding for marketing of compost. At the outset, the Lt Governor planted a tree sapling under the ‘Ek Ped Shaheedon ke Naam’ campaign. 

He also visited the Swachhta Exhibition highlighting innovative measures adopted by the Rural Development Department and interacted with students participating in Painting/Drawing competition on Swachhta. Swachhta Pledge in schools, colleges and offices; cleanliness drives at bus stands, railway stations and other public & market places; orientation programs and health camps for sanitation workers and Swachhata Gram Sabhas will also be organized during the Swachhta Pakhwada.

Sh Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lt Governor; Sh Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti; Sh Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Ecology & Environment; Ms Mandeep Kaur, Commissioner Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department; Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj; Ms Anu Malhotra, Director General, Rural Sanitation, senior Officials, sanitation workers and various stakeholders were present on the occasion.

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• Delegates visit Pulwama rangeland, interact with pastoral community

SRINAGAR: The three-day workshop on ‘Rangeland Management for Sustainable Rural Development,’ organized by the Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj (RDD&PR), Jammu and Kashmir, concluded today with significant engagement from both national and international experts. The workshop, held in collaboration with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) Support Group of South Asia and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), brought together participants from India, Spain, and Mongolia.

The event focused on leveraging ongoing government programs to promote sustainable rangeland management. During the workshop, discussions were held on integrating rangeland management into broader rural development initiatives, highlighting the importance of rangelands for food security, economic development and environmental sustainability.

During the workshop, 16 technical sessions were held, featuring contributions from a diverse group of experts, NGOs, and academics. Participants included representatives from NGOs from Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttarakhand, as well as international experts. These sessions focused on sharing experiences and best practices on how to conserve and revive rangelands and pastures.

Discussions also revolved on strategies to sustainably improve the economy of pastoralists, ensuring that their livelihoods are supported in a manner that benefits both the environment and local communities. Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Secretary Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj, Jammu and Kashmir, in his address, spoke about the need for data-driven policies and emphasized the importance of stakeholder consultation and inter-sectoral coordination.

The Secretary stressed the need for developing a comprehensive policy framework for the management and conservation of rangelands across Jammu and Kashmir. He revealed that over 4 percent of J&K’s total geographic area is under rangelands, underscoring the importance of proper management.

Burma Dashbal, CEO of the Mongolian National Federation of Pasture User Group, addressed the participants virtually. She emphasized the critical contributions of pastoralism and rangelands to rural livelihoods, correcting common misconceptions and advocating for evidence-based policies and sustainable investments.

She emphasized the vital contributions that rangelands and pastoralists make to food security, the economy, and the environment. She explained that pastoralism is not just a way of life but a critical component of rural livelihoods, supporting a large number of people globally and providing essential resources. Dr. Pedro M. Herrera, a Spanish ecologist and consultant on Drylands and Pastoralism, also shared his expertise, highlighting the need for international cooperation in addressing the challenges of rangeland management.

P. Vivekanandan, Chair of the RISG-SA, presented on best practices for community management of pasture lands and livestock breeds.  Dr. Ravindra S. Gavali, Professor and Head at CNRM, CC & DM, NIRDPR Hyderabad, discussed enhancing environmental benefits and rural livelihoods through the MGNREGA program.

Ravinder Yadav, Director of the Rainfed Area Authority, Government of India, shared insights into the convergence model developed under the NRAA-AO TCP (National Rainfed Area Authority-Agriculture Organization Technical Cooperation Program). He emphasized the critical role of collaboration in achieving effective rangeland management. He said that the convergence model has facilitated the revival of traditional pasture routes, which are essential for the livelihoods of pastoral communities.

Other notable speakers included Dr. D. K. Sadana, Founder of ILSI & Chair of HimRRA, Karnal; Ramesh Bhatti and Ritesh Pokar from Sahjeevan, Bhuj; Dr. Ravia Gupta, Assistant Professor at the University of Jammu; Dr. Smruti Smita Mohapatra, Member of RISG-SA, Jammu; Megha Sheth from SAPA, Ahmedabad; Prof. (Dr.) S. Naseem ul Zafar Geelani from SKUAST-K, Srinagar; Dr. Shaikh Ghulam Rasool from SRDE, FRC-J&K; and Shahid Saleem from RISG-SA, who shared insights on rangelands and their management.

On the final day, delegates interacted with local nomadic people and pastoralists in Hajin, Gulistan, Pulwama. This interaction provided a platform for understanding the challenges faced by these communities and exploring sustainable management practices. The delegation, accompanied by Director, RDD Kashmir, Joint Director RDD, Kashmir, Additional Secretary RDD and ACD Pulwama, offered expertise on conservation and economic improvement strategies for pastoralists.

The workshop, among others, was attended by Director General of Rural Sanitation, J&K, Director RDD Jammu/Kashmir, Director Panchayati Raj, J&K, CEO IWMP, COO Himayat and other senior officers from various departments.

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SRINAGAR:  Dr. Owais Ahmed, the Vice Chairman Srinagar Development Authority (SDA), took an intensive departmental review meeting at Conference hall of SDA, Jehlum Valley Bypass, Bemina, Srinagar to assess the developmental and Housing & Planning Projects besides reviewed progress of implementation of the Master Plan 2035.

The meeting was attended by Chief Town Planner Kashmir, Director Land Management SDA, FA&CAO SDA, Executive Engineer SDA, Deputy Director Technical SDA, Administrative Officer SDA, and other senior officers from SDA and TPO.  The discussions encompassed the operational efficiency of SDA, ongoing developmental projects, and strategies to enhance revenue generation.

Emphasizing the pivotal role of the Enforcement Wing, the VC highlighted the importance of maintaining vigilance and taking proactive measures to combat illegal constructions and prevent encroachments in Srinagar.  Additionally, VC called upon revenue officials to intensify their efforts in recovering outstanding dues owed to the authority.

A significant focus of the meeting was the Master Plan 2035 for Srinagar, with directives issued to Town planning organization to undertake necessary actions and ensure the smooth and effective implementation of the plan.

The deliberations held during the review meeting reflect SDA's commitment in fostering sustainable development, upholding regulatory compliance, and enhancing the overall urban landscape of Srinagar.  Through collaborative efforts and strategic planning, SDA aims to realize the vision set forth in the Master Plan 2035, ensuring a well-organized and prosperous future for the Srinagar city.

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• Calls for inspection of all coaching institutes to ensure safety and well-being students
• Dedicated Committees constituted to assess compliance of all such coaching institutions to mandatory safety standards

SRINAGAR: Deputy Commissioner/District Magistrate Srinagar, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, today ordered a safety audit of all coaching centers in the District. The decision was made in light of the recent tragic incident at Rajinder Nagar, Delhi, where UPSC aspirants lost their lives due to the flooding of a building basement. The Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar has directed a comprehensive inspection of all buildings housing  coaching institutions. 

The inspection will focus on several key areas of concern: using basements for conducting classes, adherence to fire safety norms, compliance with building by-laws, prevention of overcrowded classrooms, verification of coaching centers operating from residential buildings, and the adequacy of escape routes in buildings. 

A thorough safety audit of coaching centers, particularly in Srinagar will be conducted to avert any potential accidents in the future. All private coaching institutions have been directed to cooperate fully with the inspection teams and adhere to the guidelines set forth to ensure the safety and well-being of their students.

Meanwhile, DC/DM has constituted dedicated Committees comprising Officers from all relevant Departments to assess the compliance of all such coaching institutions to mandatory safety standards. The Committees have also been directed to submit reports within a reasonable timeframe. Pertinently, on the directions of DC/DM preliminary inspections have already been conducted by the Executive Magistrates within their respective jurisdictions.