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Srinagar, Sep 19 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir government has presented a Rs 419.50-crore proposal to the Centre under the Prime Minister's Reconstruction Package (PMRP) for conservation of three lakes in the state.

The government has already preferred proposals for conservation of wetlands under the PMRP, which included project outlay of Rs 386.39 crore for Wullar, Asia's largest sweet water lake, Rs 6.91 crore for Surinasr-Mansar in Jammu and Rs 26.28 crore for Tso-moriri in Ladakh, an official spokesman said today.

He said State Chief Secretary S S Kapur has asked the Forest Department to actively pursue the action plans with the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to ensure early clearance of these projects meant for protection, conservation and preservation of these water bodies.

He stressed upon creating eco-tourism on the hillocks to ensure conservation of lakes like Surinsar-Mansar. This, he said, would also lead to the promotion of tourism in the area.

He also called for studying adverse effect, if any, on the lakes like Tso-moriri due to haphazard tourist activities.

Mr Kapoor said ecological balance and maintenance of environment should form a part of conservation of water bodies and lakes.

The Chief wildlife Warden gave a detailed audio-visual presentation on the management action plan for the Wullar, Surinsar-Mansar and Tso-moriri lakes.

UNI BAS SBC MIR CS1317