Category: Environment

Environment

Experts raise alarm over dumping of Jhelum’s dredged material

Editor

Despite the Central government’s financial support, the dredging of the Jhelum has put the J&K Government in a difficult situation as the disposal of excavated material may need over thousands of kanals. Experts have raised an alarm as the department is disposing silt and sand excavated from the river in low-lying areas of Srinagar which may lead to another 2014-like floods. Urban planner Iftikhar Drabu said the dumping of the excavated material in “low-lying areas or water bodies” around the city would create another catastrophe. A Kolkata-based company, Reach Dredgers,…

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Admin caught napping on Achen landfill site, scientific disposal of waste

Editor

Leachate treatment plant dysfunctional, no soiling done Even as over 3,000 metric tons of garbage continues to mount on the streets of the summer capital since March 5, when protests erupted against the dumping of waste at Achen, the basic point is that the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) has failed in the scientific disposal of the solid waste at the sole landfill site here. This correspondent during an on-the-spot visit of the landfill site found that two essential laid down guidelines for scientific disposal of waste –the leachate treatment and soiling…

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Wildlife team goes all out to rescue hangul, finds sambar

Editor

The Wildlife Department had got a team of officials from Dehradun to rescue a ‘trapped hangul’ from the Chenab in Kishtwar district, but it turned out to be a sambar — an exceptionally good swimmer. Since Thursday afternoon, Wildlife officials along with the police were busy tracking the deer in the water to rescue it. They even requested experts from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, to help in the rescue operation. However, being a good swimmer, the sambar managed to swim across the river on Friday evening. “We…

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Take immediate action against encroachments on saffron fields; Govt

Editor

Taking a serious note of illegal constructions and encroachments on saffron fields, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have ordered immediate legal action against the violators. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Asghar Samoon also constituted a committee to look into the illegal constructions and asked it to report to him on weekly basis, an official spokesman said here. He said Samoon passed the directions while chairing a high-level meeting regarding the illegal constructions on saffron fields. The committee comprises Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Joint Director Agriculture and concerned Tehsildars. Divisional Commissioner was informed that…

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Migratory birds bid early adieu to Kashmir as temperature rises

Editor

Thousands of migratory birds are bidding an early adieu to Kashmir this year because of unusually hot temperatures and scant rain and snowfall. “Normally, the migration back to summer homes from the Valley by the migratory bird species starts by the middle of March, but due to unusual rise in temperatures and scant precipitation during the winter months, these avian visitors are leaving earlier this year,” said Imtiyaz Ahmad Lone, wildlife warden (Wetlands Kashmir). Lone said many species of migratory birds including Pintails, Mallards, Pochards, Wigeons and Shovellers have already…

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Floriculture Dept to plant 12000 chinars in Valley

Editor

In order to go green, Department of Floriculture on Tuesday launched a massive plantation drive, while as 12, 000 Chinar tree saplings would be planted across Kashmir region. Director, Department of Floriculture, Talat Parvez told , that around 12, 000 Chinar tree saplings would be planted across Kashmir region. He informed that 40 established fiery (Chinar) trees would be taken to plant in Ladakh region during ongoing year- 2016. Parvez said that more than 8,000 royal tree saplings have been planted so far across valley. The Plantation drive has been led…

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Guv inspects Jhelum dredging, directs officials to speed up work

Editor

J&K Governor N N Vohra on Sunday directed the Chief Engineer of Irrigation & Flood Control Department and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to take up a cleanliness drive of river Jhelum and also called for quick dredging of the water body. During his tour of the Flood Spill Channel at Shivpora, the Governor directed officials to ensure that the ongoing dredging works are carried out speedily and completed well in time. The Governor, who was informed that the mechanical dredging at the site would be dredging out a mass of 200-250…

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Climate Change and its causes

Editor

It is March in Kashmir and sun is shining with full pace rejoicing people, but despairing experts. Apart from very less snowfall this winter, it has struck fear among the people and experts that agriculture activities might be impacted this season which contributes major part of economy in Kashmir. The fourty day long Chilai Kalan (harsh wintry days) which was expected to receive highest snowfall has not received a single flake of snow. Kashmir has witnessed the hottest day in February in 76 years as mercury roses to 20.6 degree…

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Wular lake safe haven for timber smugglers

Editor

The smugglers in Bandipora have been ferrying timber through Wular lake for a long time allegedly due to the official connivance. Local resident of  Nadihal, Garoora, Kema, Aloosa, Khenusa and  adjoining areas told that the smugglers use the river route to ship the timber in connivance with the officials of Forest Protection Force (FPF). The forest cover is fast dwindling here as timber smugglers are using Wular Lake to smuggle the green gold with Forest department unable to curb the practice.  The timber smuggling, according to residents, even takes place…

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Anti-polythene drive at Lal Chowk

Editor

In a bid to aware masses about the hazards of using polythene, an Anti-Polythene Campaign under “Go Green Srinagar” was organised by Earth Day Network, USA, Department of Environment, Ecology and Remote Sensing, Srinagar Municipal Corporation and Youth Parliament of Jammu and Kashmir at Lal Chowk Srinagar. The event was supported by Sanctuary Asia and Wildlife Conservation Fund. The local commuters were enlightened about the various hazards of polythene. Impact of using polythene (non-biodegradable) on soil, water and air was instilled among the by passers and local shop keepers. Besides…

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