Category: Environment

Environment

PHE to spend Rs 13 lakh on half marathon, forgets desilting of water bodies!

Editor

At a time when the department of Public Health Engineering, Irrigation and Flood Control is yet to start desilting process of water bodies after a year of devastating floods, the PHE department is all set to spend Rs 13 lakh on half marathon. In collaboration with leading FM radio channel, 92.7 BIG FM, PHE department is organizing the first ever ‘international’ half marathon on September 13 “to promote sports and healthy lifestyle” in the Valley. “The total expenditure of the event is around Rs 13 lakh. It is the first…

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Climate change may decrease JK’s hydropower generation: Report

Editor

The demand of electricity in Jammu and Kashmir will touch 19,500 million units by 2020-21, even as “prevalent climate change scenario” in the state is likely to affect its hydropower generation, an official report has predicted. The J&K government’s report—State Action Plan on Climate Change—states that energy demand in the State has gradually increased during the past five years at an annual rate of 5 to 6 percent. “According to 16th All India Power Survey, the power requirement of the state is expected to reach 19,500 million units during 2020-21,”…

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Govt puts Brari Nambal restoration on backburner

Editor

Signifying non-seriousness of the Government to restore the Brari Nambal lagoon in Shaher-e-Khaas, the much-hyped conservation project to salvage the water body is yet to be accorded sanction. The lagoon situated at the entrance of Shaher-e-Khaas is on the verge of extinction mainly due to encroachments and pollution. The problem has been compounded by failure of authorities to undertake its conservation— for past nearly three decades. After years of inordinate delay, the Government last month had made a comprehensive project to undertake restoration of the lagoon. However, despite completion of…

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NIELIT plans to develop flood alert system in Kashmir

Editor

The Rangreth-based National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT, previously DOEACC) plans to develop hi-tech flood alert system in Kashmir, which according to it will give real time alerts on water levels in Jhelum and also caution about floods. This was disclosed by the NIELIT Director AH Moon at the 26th Meeting of the Executive Committee of NIELIT held at its Srinagar center at SIDCO Electronic Complex Rangreth. The event was chaired by Vice- Chancellor Kashmir University, Prof Khurshid Iqbal Andrabi. This center into specialized IT training and research…

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Withered Springs in Pulwama

Editor

After the extinction of more than three dozen fresh water springs in Pulwama’s Inder village many more including famous Indraaz Naag are dying their slow death. Encroachments and unwanted interference pose a threat to many freshwater springs including Indraaz Naag in Inder, a village about 6 Kilometres from Pulwama town. Villagers of Inder said that around 40 springs have become extinct by way of encroachments and unwanted interference from various government agencies. Villagers said that there were more than five dozen springs in Inder. They said that the surviving ones,…

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2 illegal constructions demolished in pahalgam

Editor

A defeated People’s Conference candidate had planned to grab 40 kanals of state land Two illegal structures of a retired government officer and a leader of Peoples Conference (PC) were demolished on Tuesday by the Pahalgam Development Authority. The demolitions were carried out on a day when reported how dozens of illegal structures have been built in Mawura and Yanner areas despite the high court ban on constructions. According to a senior official, both the structures were demolished because they were being raised up in violation of the court orders.…

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‘Ikhwan era’ saw massive annihilation of forests in North Kashmir, recount villagers

Editor

As they recall the dark period when the renegade outfit was operational, these villagers along with experts, wonder if cases against Ikhwanis for plundering of forests in Kashmir should be reopened… A man of good repute and influence in Sumbal, Sonawari and Hajin hamlets of North Kashmir some 20 years back, Nambardar Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Dar vividly remembers unfolding of a dark era that has gone down in history of valley as a dreaded chapter for many of his fellow villagers. Son of former Nambardar and Sarpanch, the sexagenarian man still…

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Desilting operation in Jhelum from September

Editor

While Jhelum’s fury is still haunting the people of Kashmir, the recurrence of floods this year has delayed de-silting of the river. Although, government of India has sanctioned Rs 399 crore for dredging of the river, the Irrigation and Flood Control department says dredging would be started in a major way after September this year. Talking to us, Chief Engineer, I&FC, Javid Jaffar said it is not possible to go for major dredging operations in the summer months as the water level is high. “Further, post floods ground water level…

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200 development projects in JK await Forest dept clearance

Editor

More than 200 proposed developmental works in Jammu and Kashmir, mostly road projects, are awaiting clearance by the Forest department, an official document has revealed. The document accessed reveals that 215 projects to be taken up by the Roads & Buildings department, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana’s implementing agency and Irrigation and Flood Control Department are awaiting the necessary forest clearance or have got stuck up due to allied issues. In a communiqué, Nodal Officer for Forest Conservation Act in the office of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) has…

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‘ Receding glaciers’ will affect JK’s economy, hydropower potential: Report

Editor

Glaciers in Jammu and Kashmir are receding and the state government should initiate “ corrective measures” in this regard, an official report has revealed. The State Action Plan on Climate Change Report says the government should promote operation of solar- driven transport system in eco fragile environs and tourist destinations in the Valley. “ Use of vehicles by locals as well as forces in upper regions of the Valley and helicopter services to fragile zones are among numerous causes of depletion of glacial mass in J& K as emission of…

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