Category: Environment

Environment

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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Kashmir to become hotspot of Global Warming

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• Gulmarg, Pahalgam could show a rise of 4-7 degrees Celsius by century’s end: Study • ‘Climate change may lead to sweeping vegetation changes in Valley’ Kashmir valley is heading towards a widespread transformation in its flora population due to global warming which could jeopardise water resources and species unique to the Himalayan region, a study has warned. Researchers from University of Kashmir, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Bangalore estimated the maximum and minimum temperatures in two stations they studied, Gulmarg and Pahalgam, could show…

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‘Climate change cause of freaky weather in Kashmir’

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Prominent environmentalist Sunita Narain on Monday said the freaky weather in Kashmir is clear indicator of climate change in the Himalayan region and maintained that the pattern may worsen in the coming years. “There have been 11 cloudbursts in Kashmir during past few months. Now this unusual natural phenomena is becoming ‘normal.’ The frequency of freaky weather is increasing. Clearly, this is an indicator of climate change and has affected fragile eco-system here. People will be deeply impacted by it,” Narain said in her lecture on ‘The imperative of environment…

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World glaciers melting at record rates: Study

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A worldwide study has revealed that during 2001 to 2010, glaciers lost ice at an alarming two to three times the average for the 20th century. Such is the scale of ice loss that the scientists predict that even if global warming were to stabilize, the ice loss would continue. Melting glaciers, known to be caused by rising global temperatures, pose a global threat to fresh water systems, like rivers and lakes. Billions of people live in plains fed by glacier and snow melt fed rivers, as in India. If…

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