Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 28: In the 22nd Annual General Meeting of the J&K Paryavaran (Environment) Sanstha, held at the IIIM, certain far reaching decisions were taken, which will impact the life of the people of the State in general and Shivaliks in particular.
The AGM was presided over by Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal. Based on the discussions as advised by Dr Ram Vishwakarma, Director IIIM, it was decided to organize a brain storming session at the national level on water conservation, particularly of rain water harvesting in the Shivaliks by involving national level scientific institutions in the technical programme besides the multifarious stake holders. In addition, Dr Ram Vishwakarma agreed to extend the scientific know how, technologies and laboratory facility for the promotion of pharmaceutical entrepreneurship besides extending training facilities to the farmers, Ex-Servicemen and the unemployed youth.
In view of the upcoming biotech park at Ghati in Kathua at a cost of Rs 125 crore, the IIIM also assured all support of available infrastructure for improvement of livelihood and income generating programmes with in the biotech park.
The meeting was attended by the members of J&K Paryavaran Sanstha, students of Fauji Public School and members of the civil society besides the Scientists of IIIM.
In his presentation, R S Jasrotia (Retd Chief Conservator), drew attention towards massive encroachments of the catchment areas of the water bodies and diversion of the surface run off, unplanned construction including the water inflow which was due to unscientific management of the water bodies. He suggested that there was an urgent need to remove all such encroachments and ensure that no water flow to these bodies is interrupted / interfered. He also suggested to rehabilitate the cultural heritage of the Dogras for transforming the lives of the life support system of the people living in Shivaliks, which can be used to take care of the demand of over 1.5 crore pilgrims and tourists to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.
In his presentation, Dr C M Seth, Retd Chief Conservator, highlighted the efforts of the Rajasthanis in conservation of water bodies and innovative use of the same for enhancing the productivity like growing carrots, cucumber and capsicum on the sand dunes and supplying to Punjab, HP and J&K.
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