Despite SC ban, 123 saw mills operating within prohibited area
*Funds meant for forest protection used to purchase ACs

JAMMU: In what could be termed as insensitivity towards the green gold wealth, only one per cent of forest land has been demarcated in Jammu district by the Forest Department thereby leaving 99 per cent area prone to encroachment by the land grabbers. Moreover, 123 saw mills are operating within the prohibited area in contravention of the ban imposed by the Supreme Court and incident of illicit felling and consequently the outstanding damages cases have been increasing year after year due to the slackness of the Forest Department officers.

NBCC sub-contractors desert work at many places

JAMMU: While significant progress has been made in the execution of sewerage works in North-Western part of the Jammu city, numerous problems are being encountered by the agency responsible for carrying out such works in the Eastern part and this would have adverse impact on the entire ambitious project. In the prevailing scenario, there seems to be no end to the multiple problems being faced by the common masses.

Project to be completed at cost of Rs 5353.82 cr in 60 months

JAMMU: In a positive development towards start of work on 850 Mega Watt (MW) Ratle Hydro Power Project on river Chenab in Kishtwar district, Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has recommended environment clearance for the project and the formal orders in this regard would be issued by the Union Environment and Forest Ministry shortly. Official sources told EXCELSIOR that a high-level team of M/s Ratle Hydroelectric Power Project Pvt Ltd of GVK Group made a detailed presentation regarding all the issues connected with the execution of the project which includes location of dam site,

Regular auditing, monitoring of radiations stressed

JAMMU: Taking serious note of the general complaints that Electro-Magnetic Radiations from the cell-phone towers have been leaving adverse impact on wildlife especially birds and bees, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has issued detailed advisory containing the actions to be undertaken by various agencies in order to avoid the impacts of radiations on such species.

JAMMU: Concerned over regional grid failures last week, Union Power Ministry today issued fresh set of directions to eight Northern States including Jammu and Kashmir for carrying out mandatory reforms with thrust on special protection system for the power grids and automatic demand management scheme. It has also fixed time-lines for the implementation of each direction.

The 12-point directions were chalked out during the meeting of Chief Ministers and representatives from various Northern States and Union Territory of Chandigarh convened by the Union Power Minister, Veerappa Moily.

JAMMU: In order to provide respite to the people from the acute power crisis, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today sanctioned Rs 200 crore for purchase of additional power and Rs 12 crore for speedy repair of damaged transformers and other system improvement works. With this decision, the availability of electricity will increase by 250 Mega Watts (MW) and consumers will heave sigh of relief from the power curtailments up to large extent from tomorrow itself when the Power Development Department will issue fresh electricity supply schedule.

Need of alternate line between capital cities via Rajouri-Poonch stressed

JAMMU: In order to meet the electricity requirement during winter months when generation from hydro projects comes down considerably, State Government has demanded one each Thermal and Solar Power Projects from the Union Government besides alternate transmission line between Jammu and Srinagar via twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch for dependable power supply to snow bound areas. The State has also reiterated the demand of Rs 1000 crore equity assistance for the construction of Stage-II of the Baglihar Hydroelectric Project on river Chenab at Chanderkote in Ramban district.

Environment Ministry, PCI express concern over ‘slackness’

JAMMU: Notwithstanding the fact that Jammu and Kashmir has been categorized as sensitive from climate change point of view, the State Government has remained insensitive towards preparation of State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) and missed several deadlines set-up by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.

14 technical services officers being appointed to KAS

DPRs of 40% areas in border blocks to be submitted by March end

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