Water bodies in J&K to get ‘Unique Identification Number’

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir government formed a committee for monitoring the overall progress in the identification, protection and restoration of water bodies in Jammu and Kashmir.

Headed by Administrative Secretary, Forest Ecology and Environment department, the eight-member committee has been asked to identify and protect all water bodies in J&K; to assign Unique Identification Number to each water body; to remove encroachments in and around the water bodies; to prevent dumping of waste in the water bodies; to maintain water quality as per the recognized standards; to restore water bodies by taking other appropriate steps involving the Panchayats and the community, utilizing the financial resources available from different sources and to evolve further monitoring mechanism as well as Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM).

As per an order issued by Commissioner Secretary to government Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, the panel has been asked to submit periodical reports to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)/Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India.