SHOPIAN: The District Environment Plan of district Shopian was today reviewed during an officer’s meeting held at Mini Secretariat Arhama here under the chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Shopian, Mushtaq Ahmed Simnani.
The meeting was informed that the Committees have been set up for assessment and monitoring of environment pollution in the district.
It was informed that the plan is aimed at improving overall parameters of environment in the district and includes widespread plantation initiatives, measures to curb use of plastic/polythene, improving the disposal of solid waste and hospital waste, community participation and mass awareness, strengthening green clubs, soil and moisture conservation measures to curb air and water pollution besides grievance redressal mechanism.
Regarding the Solid Waste Management plan, a detailed report was sought from the concerned officers for identification and establishment of land-fill sites for proper disposal of solid waste in the district.
The concerned officers were instructed to frame DPRs for establishment of Sewerage Treatment Plants (STP) for management of liquid waste in the town. They were asked to ensure door to door collection of garbage in town as well as in panchayat halqas of the district to control the pollution at basic level.
The ADC directed the Executive Officer, Municipal Committee Shopian to speed up their activities and carry out the inspection of Government Offices for lifting of waste and to ensure door to door collection of garbage by providing dust bins and without delay to maintain a neat and clean environment, besides ensuring market checking.
A report about the disposal of medical and bio-medical waste was also sought from the concerned officers. The health officers were asked to establish an in-house medical and bio-medical waste disposal plant.
Emphasis was laid on dumping of waste at a suitable place and demolishing of encroachment on the river banks in the district to keep the district neat, clean and pollution free.
Reviewing the plantation and soil conservation plans in the district, a detailed report was sought about the total forest area reclaimed from degradation within the shortest possible time.
The ADC also sought a report about the works done under relevant schemes in the district and directed the concerned to submit a vision document about the steps to be taken for soil conservation.
The Industries department was asked for collection and management of industrial waste in industrial estates to reduce the pollution levels.
The Education Department was asked to generate awareness among children about the importance of preservation and conservation of environment and ecology while the authorities of DIC were asked for establishment Affluent Treatment Plant (ATP) at Shopian Industrial Estate.
The ADC exhorted upon the officers that the laxity with regard to maintaining the environment clean will not be tolerated and it was emphasized upon all the concerned departments to gear up their activities so that the town will look most beautiful.
Among others, Assistant Commissioner Development Shopian, Hilal Ahmed Jeri, Chief Education Officer, Assistant Director Planning, Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Chief Executive Officer Municipal Committee, District Officer Pollution Control Board, Representatives of DIC, Horticulture, PHE, Geology & Mining and other line departments were present in the meeting.

KR Desk