Srinagar: While the natural habitants of wildlife in the state have been depleting due to human interference and no policies of the state government to safeguard them, wetlands in the state too are dying the same death.
Wetland at Chatlam Pampore in south Kashmirs Pulwama district too has been depleting and no government has so far shown keen interest for it development.
However, soon after assuming charge Minister of State for Forest, Ecology, Environment, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Cooperative and Fisheries Mir Zahoor Ahmad visited the Chatlam wetland and assured that it will be developed as an eco-tourism spot.
While reviewing the status of several wetlands in the State the minister said adequate steps will be taken to tap the potential of the area.
The Minister directed the concerned authorities of Wildlife Department to formulate a Comprehensive Project Report (DPR) for developing the Wetland Chattlam as eco-tourism spot.
The Minister directed for removing encroachment of wetlands to ensure their conservation and protection.
Thorough discussions were held on various issues including release of compensation in man-animal conflict cases, anti-poaching duties and staff strength. The minister stressed for taking concerted measures to minimize man-animal conflicts.
During his visit to Rajouri, the minister has directed his department to ensure plantation in all open forest land especially of those plants by which soil erosion can be stopped. He said day by day the land is used for construction and other purposes so there is dire need to focus on plantation and stopping of soil erosions.
Mir also stressed for organizing awareness camps to educated people about the importance of forests and its preservation, conservation and protection.
In Rajouri, he visited Sunderbani Forest Divisions and took stock of the functioning of these offices. He also visited Nadpur Nursery Nowshera and inspected Chir Plant Nursery there.
The Minister also visited Carp Fish Farm, Muradpur Rajouri and got appraisal of the activities related to fisheries, both capture and culture.
While inspecting the Rajouri Forest Division office, the minister went round various sections and interacted with the staff members. The Minister directed them for timely distribution of timber among the deserved families after proper verification.
In Valley, the minister called for adopting modern methods in pisciculture to create new avenues for unemployed youth and increase income of present fishermen.
The Minister, while inspecting the progress of state of art Cage Fish farming inside Dal lake, stressed the need to speed up the trials so that the new method of fish farming is introduced in the state on a wider scale.
The Minister said that the Cage Farming would revolutionize aquaculture in the state.
Unemployed youth or fishermen would simply have to install a floating platform inside a waterbody and they will be able to produce upto 10 tonnes of fish every year, he said.
He said that it will also decrease pressure on our land and water resources as the cages can be fixed inside Dal, Wular and any other water body.
The minister visited the Harwan Trout Farm and fish feed mill to review its functioning.
The Minister, later, inspected the Rainbow Aquarium cum awareness centre at Gagribal. He was informed that the aquarium is visited by around 10,000 tourists and locals every year.
He directed the officials to explore modalities to expand the facilities at the aquarium.
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