J&K Dy CM pushes for scientific mapping of ‘gair mumkin khads’

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the sub-committee constituted to examine the issues related to gair mumkin khads in the union territory.

The meeting, held at the Civil Secretariat, Jammu, was attended by Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs Departments, Javed Ahmad Rana and Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar, as members of the sub-committee.

Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti Department, Shaleen Kabra, briefed the Sub-Committee on the current status of gair mumkin khads and the challenges associated with their identification, protection and management.

The Deputy CM emphasised the need for taking pro-public and pragmatic decisions to ensure amicable redress of genuine issues faced by the people. He stressed that the policy interventions must strike a balance between the environmental protection and safeguarding the livelihoods and property rights of citizens.

The sub-committee discussed in detail the existing status of gair mumkin khads, daryas and nallahs, along with related concerns with the objective of providing relief to the general public wherever required.

Choudhary called for sensitisation of all stakeholders and directed for proper scientific mapping of gair mumkin khads, nallahs and adjacent non-cultivable waste lands. The meeting also discussed climatic challenges and measures being taken to mitigate climatic impact on the environment, human life and properties.

Choudhary asked for comprehensive mapping of flood-prone areas to strengthen the disaster preparedness and mitigate risks. He further instructed the concerned departments to take stringent action against the illegal encroachments and ensure retrieval of encroached land across Jammu and Kashmir in a time-bound manner.