Environmentalists are demanding greater environmental management of religious tourism.

The death of 98 pilgrims in the Amarnath Yatra has highlighted the need to ensure better man-management in these ecologically-fragile regions. Already, three lakh pilgrims have visited the Amarnath shrine while the number in 2011 was around 7.5 lakhs. Environmentalist Prof. Vikram Soni of the Jamia Milia University points out that such large numbers of yatris are unsustainable given the high altitude and the danger of landslides hitting this area which could result in heavy loss of life.

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.

A mild intensity quake shook Kashmir Valley in the wee hours on Wednesday but there was no report of any damage due to it. "An earthquake of magnitude 4.2 was recorded at 1.37 AM. The epicentre of the tremor was in Hindukush region of Afghanistan," an official of Disaster Management Cell said.

He said there was no report of any damage caused by the tremor in the Valley. Kashmir Valley lies in highly active Seismic Zone V and has been experiencing slight to moderate earthquakes at regular intervals.

SRINAGAR: Speaking in the 2nd session of the marathon 65th Board of Directors meeting of Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) here last evening, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah received detailed account of modus operandi of launch of new power projects by the Corporation. The Board also approved Rs. 1850 crore annual budget for JKSPDC.

The Board approved invitation of tenders for development of 390 MW Kirthai-I & 990 MW Kirthai-II as fully State owned projects through EPC mode. The Board approved award of contracts for 9 MW Hanu & 9 MW Dah to the eligible lowest bidder on the basis of tender process successfully completed by the Corporation.

A 5.6 magnitude medium-intensity quake with its epicentre along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border was felt in the Kashmir Valley Thursday.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to property. “A 5.6 magnitude tremor rocked the Kashmir Valley at 1.07 p.m. Today (Thursday)," a met department official said. The epicentre was located at the Afghanistan-Pakistan border at Latitude 36.1 degrees North and Longitude 73.1 degrees east, he said. People in Srinagar and other towns of the Valley came out of their homes and offices when they felt the tremors.

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.

SAMBA: The Plan of Rs 65.88 crore for District Samba was approved in a meeting of District Development Board (DDB) held under the Chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand.

The District Development Commissioner, Samba Mubarak Singh gave a detailed account of physical and financial achievements for the financial year 2011-12 and proposed an annual plan for the financial year 2012-13.

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.

RAJOURI: The traders and local people from Rajouri town held massive protest demonstration against the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department at main chowk here today.

They were protesting against the concerned authorities for their utter failure to provide drinking water to the people of Rajouri town. The agitators shouted loud slogans against the PHE Minister, Chief Engineer PHE and concerned Executive Engineer.

JAMMU: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla today laid foundation stone of Rs. 3.98 crore Water Supply Scheme at Chatta taken up under National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP). On its commissioning, the 83864 gallon per hour discharge capacity deep drill tube well project would meet the drinking water requirements of Chatta, Bermini, Mohra Kut, Mohra Rorian and Mohra Daruni and Rati Sarari of Sunjwan area having a population of 10483 souls.