Srinagar, Feb 27: Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan today chaired a meeting to set into motion the preliminary work for the formulation of Water Regulatory Policy aimed at conserving and exploiting the water bodies of Kashmir in an eco-sustainable way.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner of all districts of Kashmir division via video conferencing. CE PHE, VC LAWDA and officials representing various departments were present at the meeting.
The Div Com said that the state is bestowed with bountiful water resources which need to be preserved for posterity. He said Water Regulatory Policy will go a long way in formulating a roadmap for their conservation.
He directed all DDC’s to formulate a team comprising Irrigation and Flood Control, Forest, Revenue and allied departments that will map entire water resources in their respective districts. He said that the team will validate the data with other sources and also delineate their boundaries as were present in earliest records. He directed the officials present to formulate comprehensive report within one month.
The Div Com said that the aim of the exercise is to save water bodies, address all environmental concerns that affect water bodies, indicate areas prone to drought and other problems, map water resources in each district, suggest a way to help in maintaining the quality of water and other related issues.
Khan directed the officials to get help from Department of Remote Sensing and Kashmir University who have already compiled data on water resources. He said that after getting data, remedial steps and various actions will be taken to mitigate the issues facing water bodies.
