Consultancy firms offer to prepare CAT plan
*Project likely to be completed in 2-3 years
Bivek Mathur
JAMMU, Oct 15: In a significant move to prevent further degradation of the catchment areas of River Tawi in Jammu and Udhampur Forest Divisions, the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department has unveiled a comprehensive plan for the rejuvenation of the river, funded under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management & Planning Authority (CAMPA).
As per details available with the Excelsior, the J&K Forest Department has reached out to the Soil and Water Conservation Department in Jammu to engage a consultancy firm. This firm will be tasked with identifying the biological and engineering solutions needed to address the damage sustained in the river’s catchment areas over the years, resulting from both natural and human-induced disasters.
The selected consultancy firm will conduct an in-depth study to assess the impact of these disasters on the river’s catchment areas in both the Udhampur and Jammu districts. Subsequently, they will prepare and submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Joint Director of the Soil and Water Conservation Department in Jammu, seeking the necessary funding for remedial measures aimed at restoring the river’s vitality.
Abhijeet Joshi, Joint Director of the Soil and Water Conservation Department in Jammu, stated, “the Forest Divisions in Udhampur and Jammu districts have provided the State Forest Department with details of the extent of degradation in the river’s catchment areas. As a result, we have been directed by the Forest Department to engage a consultancy firm that will analyze the degradation’s impact and recommend both biological and engineering interventions as part of the Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) Plan, with the ultimate goal of restoring the river to its original state.”
Joshi outlined that the river’s catchment area treatment project will be executed by the expert consultancy firm within a timeline of 2-3 years, with an annual funding ceiling of Rs 5 crore allocated for the endeavour.
However, he emphasized that the final project cost and duration might vary post the firm’s DPR preparation.
“The project cost could potentially exceed the annual ceiling of Rs 5 crore, and the project duration could also be adjusted accordingly. The availability of funds will be a key determinant in finalizing the project’s timeline,” he added. “These details will be clarified once the DPR is finalized.”
Regarding the ways to carry out the rejuvenation work in the degraded catchment areas, Joshi explained, “our initial focus will be to ensure that no land in these areas remains exposed. To control runoff, we will strive to maximize vegetation in these regions. In cases where the fertile land has already eroded due to continuous runoff, we will consider implementing minor engineering interventions.”
“Prioritization of the areas, where the rejuvenation work will be taken up, will be determined post the DPR’s preparation.” he said
Follow our WhatsApp channel
