Advisor Kumar chairs 13th Standing Committee meet of State Board for Wildlife

SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 20: Advisor to Governor, K Vijay Kumar chaired the 13^th meeting of Standing Committee of State Board for Wildlife, here today.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Forests, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, IG HQs Anand Jain, PCCF Suresh Chugh, Chief Engineer NHPC Dr A K Tripathi, Chairman PCB Ravi Kesar, Former IAS Dr M K Ranjit Singh Jhala, other members of the board and concerned officers.

The meeting began with the discussion on Action Taken Report of 12^th meeting of Standing Committee of State Board for Wildlife.

Various proposals were presented before the committee for consideration and approval, which includes permission for laying of pipes and construction of RCC 20,000 gallons capacity water tank at Khari Khurd under WSS Kangrail, underground laying of Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) for 4G Network Leh-Ladakh by M/s Vindhya Telelinks Limited, clearance of Tral Lift Irrigation Scheme in Pulwama, proposal for Wildlife clearance for construction/laying of 132 kv barn Canal Transmission Line passing through Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary, clearance of establishment of new BOP Company post at Lukung in Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary, clearance for establishment of cement manufacturing unit by M/s Jhelum Cements in Eco Sensitive Zone of Dachigam, proposal for issuance of NOC for construction of Bursar Hydroelectric Power Project falling within a distance of 10 kms from the boundaries of Kishtwar High Altitude National Park and enhancement of compensation/ex-gratia relief for loss of life and damage to crops/property by wild animals and others.

The meeting held threadbare discussions on the proposals presented before the Board. Members of the Board also presented inputs/suggestions for ensuring the preservation of wildlife in the state.

It was suggested in the meeting that for diverting the forest land for execution of the projects, some other patch of land must be provided to the wildlife department which can be made a protected area.

Addressing the meeting, the Advisor said that looking at the size of the protected area in the State, concerted efforts need to be taken to preserve it and protect the wildlife. The department must ensure that there will be no threat to eco-system and to the wildlife while providing the protected/forest land for the developmental and other important projects.

He also asked the officers of ITBP having access to the protected areas to play pro-active role in wildlife preservation. There should be no disturbance to ecology while utilizing these protected areas in the state, the Advisor maintained.

The Advisor asked the Commissioner Secretary Forests to study the suggestions/inputs made by the members and officers during the deliberations so that they can be incorporated for ensuring strong wildlife preservation mechanism.