Jammu, June 13: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology, Environment and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana on Saturday chaired a review meeting with officers of the Jal Shakti Department to assess preparedness for the ongoing summer season and the upcoming monsoon period across Jammu Division.

The meeting reviewed the implementation of decisions taken during earlier assessments and evaluated measures being undertaken to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply, strengthen flood management systems, and improve the department’s emergency response mechanisms.
Highlighting growing concerns over declining groundwater levels and irregular rainfall patterns, the Minister stressed the urgent need to prioritise rainwater harvesting as a key component of water resource management in Jammu and Kashmir. He called for strict enforcement of provisions mandating rainwater harvesting systems in all new government buildings, urging government institutions to lead by example in promoting water conservation.
Rana noted that increasing climate variability and rising water demand necessitate a long-term shift towards sustainable water management practices. He directed officials to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for expanding rainwater harvesting infrastructure across the division and intensifying public awareness campaigns on water conservation.
The Minister also instructed officials to closely monitor groundwater levels in coordination with the Central Ground Water Board and take timely corrective action based on scientific assessments. He emphasised that data-driven planning and continuous monitoring are essential for addressing emerging water stress.
Rana further directed that all private water filling stations in Jammu Division must register with the concerned authorities within ten days to ensure regulation, quality control, and accountability in water distribution during peak demand periods.
Reiterating the need for proactive governance, he called for timely execution of works and close monitoring of field-level implementation to ensure efficient public service delivery, particularly during extreme weather conditions such as heatwaves and monsoon-related challenges.
He also directed immediate restoration of all repairable hand pumps and revival of defunct borewells across the division to strengthen rural water supply.
In addition, the Minister instructed officers to identify and implement necessary flood protection measures, including construction of protective walls and other structural safeguards, to secure water supply infrastructure from potential flood damage in the future.