Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 10: A group of environmentally conscious volunteers and representatives of Pahalgam Hotel Owners Association, led by its President Asif Iqbal Burza, met Governor N.N. Vohra at the Raj Bhavan here today.
Mohammad Tasleem, Environmentalist gave a presentation on the ways and means to manage solid waste generated in Pahalgam and along the Yatra route. The group expressed its desire to work in concert with the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) during the annual Yatra period for managing disposal of solid waste.
Governor appreciated the efforts of the group in carrying out a study on the problems of waste management and observed that SASB was already committed to introducing new and innovative technologies for the scientific disposal of urban wastes. He emphasised the urgent need to formulate a holistic plan which would address the serious issues relating to sanitation and processing of wastes, generated by all sources throughout the year in the important towns/cities in the entire Valley which experience heavy footfall of tourists round the year.
He urged the group to increase awareness among people at large about the various environment friendly technologies such as segregation, voluntarily shunning the use of plastic and polythene etc. as this would help in contributing towards the preservation of environment.
Dildar Khan, Secretary General, Pahalgam Hotel Association; Raja Muzzafar, Social Activist; Nasir Khan, Environment Activist and Radio Jockey; Tufail Ahmad Lawyer and Environment Activist; Yasmin Ali, Stakeholder and Ramneek Kaur, Hotelier were present in the meeting.
Dr. Aziz Hajini, Secretary, JK Academy of Art, Culture and Languages also called on Governor and briefed him about the activities of the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in the past two years, particularly in the arenas of folk and traditional art, literature and languages, within and outside the State. Dr. Hajini also informed that work had been started for establishing the Kashmir Cultural Centre at the Academy. This centre is planned to serve as an attractive meeting place for intellectuals, writers and artists. He also apprised the Governor that work on the Jammu Writers Club will be started shortly.
Governor urged Dr. Hajini to strive vigorously in pursuing the objectives of the Academy in promoting quality and excellence in all its activities.
Professor Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Head Department of Earth Sciences, University of Kashmir also called on Governor and discussed possible ways and means for putting in place a pragmatic operational mechanism under which Universities can directly connect to the policy makers, thus becoming active partners in evolving an informed development process in the State. He stated that there is a need for establishing issue based working groups in the universities on identifying important issues concerning the State.
After discussions with Prof. Romshoo, the Governor observed that assessment of the economic potential of every village would enable identification of the activities for securing adequate development in these villages, and ensuring the resolution of the problems faced by the people. In this context, Governor has desired to have an early further consultation with the Planning authorities in the State.
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