Jammu, Nov 15: Minister for Forests and Environment Mian Altaf Ahmad Thursday called for effective implementation of the Wullar Lake conservation project. He stressed the need for ensuring cent percent expenditure of the funds released by the centre under 13th Finance Commission.
 Speaking at the first meeting of the Wullar Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA), Mian Altaf who is also its Chairman, called for undertaking various conservation measures in a planned manner so that impact of the works could be felt on the ground.
 For this purpose, he suggested to divide the lake into segments and zones for taking up the conservation works in a phased manner. He said there should be no overlapping of conservation works adding that eco-tourism aspect of the Wullar Lake and its surroundings need to be taken into account, while undertaking dredging of earthen mess and silt from the water body.
 He said in the process of dredging, it should be ensured that standing trees and bio mass in the water body is uprooted completely to check their re-emergence.
 Mian Altaf asked the concerned authorities to deploy only dedicated and efficient officers for the works being taken up by WUCMA. He also urged for transparent tendering process for conservation works to ensure competitive bidding. He asked the concerned officers to construct common latrine/lavatories in the surroundings of Wullar Lake so that flow of sewerage and wastage in the Lake is checked. He also directed for immediate afforestation of the Wullar catchment areas to check erosion of soil. He also ordered for setting up of an Office Complex where all the departments and field agencies associated with WUCMA can be established under one roof. He said this would help to maintain coordination among various agencies.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 15 Nov 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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