Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today emphasised the need for a comprehensive and result-oriented strategy to tackle the growing water scarcity in Kandi areas, stating that the challenge requires coordinated and long-term interventions.

The Minister made these remarks while interacting with the public delegations at Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust (GDCT), where the people from various parts of Jammu highlighted their concerns, with water supply emerging as the key issue.

Stressing sustainable solutions, the Minister underscored the importance of creating water harvesting tanks across Kandi belts to capture rainwater that otherwise goes unutilised. He said such infrastructure can serve as dependable local water sources during the dry spells and reduce dependence on distant supply lines. He also called for intensified awareness drives to sensitise the communities about water conservation and the limited nature of groundwater reserves in these areas.

Rana stressed the need for effective dovetailing of efforts among the Jal Shakti, Rural Development, Forest and other line departments to ensure efficient water conservation and management. He highlighted that behavioural change among communities is as vital as infrastructure, urging judicious use of water in domestic consumption, agriculture and livestock rearing to prevent further depletion of already stressed sources.

The Minister directed the field officers to strengthen ground-level monitoring to detect and plug leakages in the water supply network, noting that such losses deprive end users of their rightful share. He instructed the officers to conduct regular inspections of pipelines, storage tanks and distribution points to ensure optimal utilisation of available resources.

To ensure equitable distribution in water-stressed areas like Bathindi, the Minister directed the officials to implement alternate-day water supply and held field officers accountable for the quality and regularity of monitoring reports.

Earlier, a delegation from Bathindi raised the issue of irregular water supply and demanded drilling of a borewell in Sagri Mohalla. Another delegation from Chowadhi highlighted water scarcity and the poor condition of roads.

Delegations from Samba, Akhnoor and other areas of Jammu division also presented their grievances and sought early redressal.

The officers informed the Minister that work on six borewells in Bathindi and adjoining areas is underway and nearing completion, which is expected to significantly ease water scarcity and ensure a reliable supply.

Rana reiterated that coordinated planning, community participation and efficient resource management form the three pillars of a lasting solution to water scarcity in Kandi areas.

Later, the Minister held a detailed interaction with the officers and trustees regarding establishment of a Tribal Museum at GDCT. The proposed museum is envisioned as a dedicated space to preserve and showcase the rich cultural heritage, traditions and history of the tribal communities of Jammu & Kashmir.

The meeting was attended by Chief Engineer I&FC, Jammu, Manoj Gupta, Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu, Dr V S Senthil Kumar; Director Tribal Affairs Department, Mohd Mumtaz Ali, Chief Engineer PHE, Mohd Hanief; Director Tribal Research Institute Dr Abdul Khabir and other officers. Trustees of GDCT including Patron in Chief Abdul Hamid Coudhary, Chairman Arshad Ali Choudhary Showkat Choudhary and General Secretary Er. M. Sadiq Azad also attended the meeting.