Another panel to suggest environmental safeguards in protected areas
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 3: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has set up a Monitoring Committee to oversee the Eco-Sensitive Zones of Dachigam National Park, Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary, and Thajwas Wildlife Sanctuary.
Additionally, another committee has been formed to recommend environmental safeguards for new hotel and resort constructions in these protected areas.
As per an order, the Monitoring Committee for the Eco-Sensitive Zones of the Dachigam National Park, Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary and Thajwas Wildlife Sanctuary shall be headed by the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir with Deputy Commissioners of Pulwama, Srinagar, Anantnag, Ganderbal, Municipal Commissioner Srinagar, Director Tourism Kashmir, Vice-Chairperson Srinagar Development Authority, Senior Town Planner Kashmir, Regional Director, J&K State Pollution Control Board Srinagar, Divisional Forest Officers of Sindh, Lidder, Awantipora, Urban Forestry Srinagar, CEOs of Sonamarg Development Authority, Pahalgam Development Authority, Wildlife Wardens of the Central and South Divisions, Prof Manzoor Ahmad Shah, Director, Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Nazir-Be-Nazir, President National Society for Protection of Water Resources, Wetlands & Forests Kashmir, and Dr Anzar Khuroo from the Department of Botany, University of Kashmir as Members and Regional Wildlife Warden Kashmir as Member Secretary.
The Monitoring Committee has been tasked with scrutinizing activities in eco-sensitive zones based on site-specific conditions, as per the notification of the Ministry of Environment and Forest.
It has also been given the task of assessing activities covered under the Schedule and refer cases requiring environmental clearances to the central or state authorities.
Unauthorized activities will also be reviewed by the Committee and directed to regulatory bodies.
The committee’s Member Secretary, along with concerned officials, can file complaints under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, against violators.
Experts and stakeholders can also be invited for deliberations by the committee.
The committee has been asked to submit an annual report to the Chief Wildlife Warden by June 30 each year, and the Central Government may issue directions to ensure effective functioning.
Meanwhile, the Committee for suggesting environmental safeguards/measures for new construction of hotels and resorts which shall form component of Tourism Master Plan for Eco-Sensitive Zones of Dachigam National Park, Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary, and Thajwas Wildlife Sanctuary, shall be headed by the Administrative Secretary Forest, Ecology and Environment Department, with Administrative Secretary tourism Department or their representative (not below the rank of Additional Secretary), Chairperson Pollution Control Committee J&K, Regional Director Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing Kashmir, Dr Sameer Sharma, Head, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Jammu, Regional Wildlife Warden Headquarters as Members. The committee can also co-opt any other member.
This committee shall suggest the environmental safeguards or measures for new construction of hotels and resorts, which shall form a component of the Tourism Master Plan, and put in place a risk assessment study on landslide, slope stability, and seismicity besides recommending adoption of environment friendly and safe construction measures.
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