Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 5: A delegation of the J&K Climate Action Group (JKCAG) and the J&K RTI Movement today met Deputy Commissioner Budgam Athar Amir Khan and raised several issues related to environmental degradation, illegal mining and pending land compensation in the district.
The delegation submitted a memorandum highlighting concerns over earth mining, riverbed mining and waste management in Budgam.
The delegation also expressed serious concern over the delay in payment of compensation to landowners affected by the Ring Road project in the Wathoora area of Chadoora.
According to the delegation, the award for compensation had already been prepared and forwarded to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) by the Collector Land Acquisition in November last year, but payments to affected landowners are still pending.
The members also discussed issues related to plantation on degraded land around Karewas, granting grazing rights to pastoralist communities, and the need to declare Yousmarg, Doodhpathri and Tosamaidan as plastic-free tourist destinations.
The Deputy Commissioner assured the delegation that he would soon convene a meeting of Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED) officials to review the project and ensure the use of appropriate technology.
He also said that consultations with reputed institutions of the country would be explored in this regard.
The meeting also discussed issues related to sustainable earth mining and riverbed mining, with the delegation stressing the need for obtaining proper environmental clearance from competent authorities.
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