Efforts being made to declare UT ODF Plus
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Dec 18: Union Cabinet is likely to accord approval to the roadmap for Carbon Neutral Ladakh as detailed note in this regard has already been prepared by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest. Moreover, efforts are being made to declare the Union Territory of Ladakh as Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus.
This information has been given by the Ministry of Home Affairs to the Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, which in its observations/recommendations contained in the Two Hundred Thirty Eight Report on Demands for Grants (2022-23) had laid stress on preparation of roadmap for creation of Carbon Neutral Ladakh.
The Committee had pointed out growing problem of improper disposal of garbage and inorganic wastes like plastic bottles etc in the Union Territory of Ladakh due to huge tourist footfall. It had mentioned that uncontrolled tourist practices will gradually lead to degradation of the fragile ecosystem of Ladakh.
Accordingly, it had recommended that a roadmap may be created for creation of Carbon Neutral Ladakh including use of renewable energy sources, electric transport, organic farming, micro-irrigation techniques and sustainable tourism model with minimum carbon footprint.
Now, the Ministry of Home Affairs has conveyed to the Parliamentary Panel that Government of India has assigned the task of preparing a roadmap for Carbon Neutral Ladakh to the Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change, which being the Nodal Ministry, has prepared a Cabinet Note on the Carbon Neutral Development for Ladakh and taking further necessary action regarding approval of Union Cabinet.
Regarding the recommendation of the Parliamentary Panel that UT Administration may take steps to increase green cover in Ladakh by planting more trees and the tree plantation drives of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces deployed in Ladakh may be integrated with the efforts of the UT Administration to increase the green cover, the Ministry of Home Affairs has mentioned that 1,10,946 Willow/Poplar Cutting/ Sapling have been planted on department/ community land during 2021-22. However, during the year 2022-23 around 2.50 lakh plants are being planted under different schemes.
Moreover, 25,130 sapling have been raised in nurseries of Forest Department of Union Territory of Ladakh and the department has proposed to raise 3 lakhs plant in nurseries during the year 2022-23. Further, 48,500 willow cutting/saplings have been supplied to different Institutions, NGOs, Army and Central Armed Paramilitary Forces for planting.
About the recommendations regarding Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin in Ladakh, the MHA has conveyed to the Parliamentary Panel that under the SBM-G II efforts are being made to declare the Union Territory of Ladakh as ODF Plus. As on date out of 31 blocks, 13 blocks having plastic waste management units, 7 solid waste management units are functional and 17 garbage pick-up vehicles have been procured during the fiscal 2020-21 and 2021- 22. Moreover, single use plastic has been banned in Ladakh including hotels and guest houses.
The Parliamentary Panel had pointed out that as per census 2011, the tribal population in UT of Ladakh is 2,18,355 which is 79.61% of the total population of 2,74,289. Accordingly, it had recommended that special status may be granted to the UT of Ladakh considering the developmental requirements of the tribal population and possibility of including Ladakh in 5th/6th Schedule may be examined.
In response to this, the Ministry of Home Affairs has mentioned that the main objective for inclusion of tribal population under 5th/ 6th schedule is to ensure their overall socio-economic development, which, the UT Administration has already been taking care of since its creation.
“Sufficient funds are being provided to UT of Ladakh to meet its overall developmental requirements, the MHA said.
About implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission, the MHA said that in UT of Ladakh, Rs 47.61 crores have been allotted to PHE and I&FC for the Financial Year 2022-23 under Special Development Package. Further, department is also implementing the Jal Jeeven Mission to ensure availability of potable water to each house hold.
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