Commissioner Secretary Sanjeev Verma emphasises over the conservation of Hokersar, Narkara Wetlands

Commissioner Secretary Sanjeev Verma emphasises over the conservation of Hokersar, Narkara Wetlands

Srinagar: Commissioner Secretary to Government Forest Ecology and Environment Department Sanjeev Verma Thursday visited Hokersar and Narkara Wetlands.
He was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Joint Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Superintending Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control Department, Regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir and other senior officers besides, members of Civil Society Group, Zainakote village.
The Commissioner Secretary to Government emphasized the need that Hokersar and other wetlands should be conserved by ensuring the adoption of wise use policy for deriving sustainable benefits.
While briefing the officers, he said that the wetlands are the most productive ecosystems, functions, and values of the wetlands are usually undermined.
The Superintending Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control Department informed the Commissioner Secretary to Government regarding the steps taken to implement the 2nd phase of restoration plan under PMD for Hokersar Wetland. Sanjeev Verma directed the Superintending Engineer to expedite implementation of measures such as regulatory gates at identified points, silt detention tank at the inlet, trash guards etc. The Executive Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control, Mechanical Division, Baramulla was directed to deploy a water master for clearance of silted patches in the wetland on a selective basis. Verma assured the delegation of Civil Society Group, Zainakote that the Government is committed to adopt a wise use policy for ensuring that the recognized rights of the community within the wetland are protected without allowing any change in the land use or any change in the characteristics of the wetland.
Joint Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation was asked to ensure collection/ disposal of solid waste in and around the wetland areas falling within its limits, besides may also deploy an adequate number of dust bins.
The Commissioner Secretary to Government accompanied by Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Budgam, Regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir and Regional Director, Pollution Control Board also visited Narkara Wetland and took stock of the status of the wetland. The Commissioner/ Secretary to Government directed the Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Budgam to ensure that the wetland is protected by way of creating water pools, deweeding, boundary demarcation, cleaning, and restoration of feeder channels.
The Regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir was also directed to initiate biodiversity-related studies in the wetlands. The Regional Director, Pollution Control Board was directed to conduct water quality assessments on different parameters in the wetlands on regular basis to arrive at the health status of these wetlands.

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