Assembly approves grants for projects in forest, Jal Shakti depts

The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Saturday passed the demands for grants totalling Rs 154,531.84 lakh for the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department, Rs 1,57,671.32 lakh for the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department, Rs 3,50,126.57 lakh for the Public Health Engineering (PHE or Jal Shakti) Department and Rs 44,299.17 lakh for the Tribal Affairs Department.

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The demands for grants were approved through a voice vote on Saturday evening, after a day-long discussion where members of the House presented their views and suggestions on various issues.

Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to address concerns raised by the members while ensuring effective use of resources to meet the aspirations of the people. Speaking on the Jal Shakti Department, Rana highlighted the government’s determination to provide “Har Ghar Nal Se Jal” (piped water to every household) to all rural households. The initiative, he said, is supported by resources from the Jal Jeevan Mission, NABARD and UT Capex. The goal is to provide 55 litres of clean drinking water per capita daily, in compliance with BIS 10000 and 10500 standards.

On the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) sector, Rana stated that the department is focused on expanding irrigation coverage, supporting farmers during the kharif and rabi crop seasons, maintaining existing infrastructure and implementing new irrigation projects to enhance potential.

Regarding the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department, Rana shared that the department aims to plant 150 lakh saplings in the year 2024-25 under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” programme, an initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also mentioned that the department is updating the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) to address regional climate projections.

Discussing the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, Rana noted that 6,058 claims have been settled in J&K, including 348 individual and 5,710 community forest rights claims.

The Minister further highlighted the steps taken by the J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) to improve the ease of doing business by extending the validity of consent for industries and revising industry classifications.

On the topic of Wular lake, Asia’s largest freshwater wetland and a Ramsar site, Rana informed the Assembly that significant restoration efforts are underway, with an emphasis on ecotourism and local livelihoods.

With regard to the growing challenges of soil erosion and water scarcity, the Minister emphasised the importance of soil and water conservation. “Check dams, slope stabilisation, and water harvesting structures are planned in coordination with Agriculture, Rural Development, and Irrigation & Flood Control Departments to recharge groundwater and prevent erosion,” he stated.