*Urges enhanced soil conservation efforts in the Kalidhar Range
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 14: During a visit to the Akhnoor constituency, Javed Ahmed Rana, Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment, and Tribal Affairs, instructed officers to expedite the completion of Water Supply Schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission, while also pushing for the advancement of irrigation and flood control projects in the area.
The Minister was assessing the performance of the Jal Shakti and Forest Departments while being accompanied by Minister for Sports, Satish Sharma, and local MLA Mohan Lal.
He highlighted the urgency of completing water supply initiatives under the Jal Jeevan Mission to ensure every rural household has access to tap water. Javed Ahmed Rana urged the officers to work more efficiently and foster better cooperation among the different agencies involved, while also stressing the importance of maintaining quality during project execution.
He encouraged the swift progression of irrigation projects to enhance water resources for agriculture and emphasized the timely completion of flood control initiatives to avert unnecessary delays. The Minister insisted on a strict timeline for all projects and warned against any hold-ups that could hinder essential work.
While mentioning the government’s initiatives for soil conservation in the Kalidhar Range, he called for intensified efforts, particularly in response to the challenges posed by climate change.
He advocated for prioritizing soil conservation techniques along streams and initiating afforestation efforts on barren lands within the Kalidhar Range. According to him, these strategies are vital for environmental sustainability, aiding in soil erosion prevention, and fostering biodiversity.
Javed Rana emphasized the importance of raising awareness about environmental and soil protection and urged for community involvement to achieve better outcomes. He requested officers to devise plans aimed at increasing forest cover in the undeveloped areas of the Kalidhar range through tree planting, which would also create livelihood opportunities and promote sustainable development, while mitigating the impacts of climate change.
During his visit to Akhnoor, community members presented memorandums and individual requests to the Minister, seeking prompt solutions to their concerns. Local residents raised issues related to the Jal Shakti, Irrigation and Flood Control, and Forest Departments.
The Minister advised officers to collaborate with local MLAs in drafting Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for new works and implementing government schemes effectively in the region.
Additionally, Javed Rana stressed the importance of quickly restoring non-functional hand pumps to ensure that the public’s access to water is not compromised.
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