Rs 98 crore plan for presevation of water bodies submitted to centre

Srinagar, Jun 17 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir government has submitted a comprehensive plan of Rs 98 crore for preservation of 24 natural water bodies and wet lands to centre.

An official spokesman said today this information was given by commissioner General Administration department, Basharat Ahmad on the first day of a five-day long training workshop on ''Wetland preservation and management,'' which started from yesterday.

Exuding confidence that nod to this ambitious project will be accorded soon, he said all of us have to put in our best to preserve and conserve the water resources which play a pivotal role in maintaining ecological balance.

The workshop has been organised by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun and State Wildlife Protection department.

He said wetland managers from Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi were participating in the workshop.

Union Secretary Environment and Forest Meena Gupta said the workshop which was to be organised at Dehradun first was decided to be held here keeping in view the abundance of wetlands and water bodies available in Jammu and Kashmir.

She expressed hope that the state government would leave no stone unturned to ensure preservation and conservation of world famous Dal lake and other water bodies, for which central government would provide adequate funds.

She said the water bodies in Kashmir are major source of attraction for tourists also.

On the occasion, the speakers highlighted the importance of preservation of wetlands adding these are valuable assets as these constitute the habitat of hundreds of water birds besides being the eco friendly food production resources.

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