The Committee discussed various issues for preservation of the State's ecology and measures taken for the purpose. It divulged upon the matter like protection of forests, forest encroachments, conservation of wetlands and water bodies, fish deaths in Nigeen Lake and non implementation of ban on polythene and other related issues.

The Committee was informed that the State has total 20230 square kilometers area under forests out of which 13360Sq Km area is under encroachment and Forest Department has taken an initiative by which 720sq kms have been evicted.

SRINAGAR: Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Taj Mohi-ud-Din today stressed the need for preserving traditional sources of water.

Interacting with a delegation of National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) here this morning, the Minister asked them to undertake a study of ponds and pools in Kandi belt and suggest measures to stabilize their water discharge. In this regard, Mr. Taj underscored the need for collaborative attempts by all concerned agencies like PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, CCDU and NIH and other agencies.

NC regimes responsible for backwardness of erstwhile Doda: Beigh

DODA, Sept 5: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) today assured to formulate a comprehensive action plan for the socio-economic growth of the people of Chenab Valley. The party further assured that backwardness and underdevelopment of this region would be removed by implementing this comprehensive action plan. Addressing an impressive public meeting, which was organized in connection with the foundation day function of the party, patron of PDP Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that Chenab Valley area was economically as well as strategically important region in the whole sub-continent due to availability of huge natural resources in the form of water and forest in this belt.

India and Pakistan have concluded their arguments in the dispute over the 330-MW hydro-electric project on Kishenganga, a tributary of the Jhelum in Jammu & Kashmir.

Islamabad claimed that the project will harm its share of river waters while New Delhi asserted that it was contemplating such a project even before the signing of the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 and would otherwise have not agreed to the pact.

SRINAGAR: Government today said it has set a target of generating over 4,000 MW of power during the next five years.

"A number of power projects have been launched for execution while many are in the pipeline to achieve the target of generating over 4,000 MW of power during the next five years," Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said. During his visit to the prestigious Baglihar Hydro Electric Project (BHEP) at Chaderkote in Ramban along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the Chief Minister inspected various units, including the dam, which is common for the first and second stage of the BHEP.

PIL regarding pollution generated by polythene bags

JAMMU: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding pollution being generated by polythene bags, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Virender Singh and Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar today directed Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation and Chairman Pollution Control Board to appear in person on the next date of hearing.

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has given go ahead to the establishment of two Bio-medical Waste Management Projects one each at Jammu and Srinagar with the directions for setting up of facilities of incinerators at Leh, Kargil, Doda and Poonch.

Approving the proposal involving on expenditure of about Rs 7.40 crore for the creation of this facility to cater to the bio-medical waste generated in various Government and private hospitals in the State, the Chief Minister said that the identification of feasible sites for establishment of Bio-medical Waste Projects should be time-lined to start the construction work.

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,

JAMMU: The Stone Crusher Owner Association (SCOA) has expressed resentment against the order issued by State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) for closure of BN Stone Crusher.

In a meeting held here in this regard, president, SCOA Vikram Randhawa described the report given by Additional DDC Jammu frivolous and misleading. He said that the Unit has valid NOC till May 2012 and has been continuously running its business for last 22 years. No proper hearing was given to the aggrieved unit holder, he added

* More funds to flow shortly

JAMMU: The Planning Commission of India (PCI) has released Rs 1000 crore worth first installment of current financial year's annual plan for the State. The PCI would be releasing remaining amount of the plan during subsequent months. A handsome amount from out of Rs 7300 crore was likely to be released well before onset of the winter to give pace to development works.