Minister for Agricultural Production and Rural Development Department, Javed Ahmad Dar, today underscored the challenges posed by rapid development and commercialisation while emphasising the critical need for environmental conservation and water management.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony of the “Watershed Yatra” at GDC Hira Nagar here, an initiative by the Department of Rural Development, Government of India, the Minister highlighted the growing environmental concerns due to urbanisation and industrial expansion.

The campaign was flagged off at the national level by Union Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

Dar, who is also Minister for Cooperative and Election departments, emphasised that the development should be accomplished only in consonance with the ecological balance. He urged upon the people to become part of the Yatra for their contribution towards protection of our environment against more degradation.

He stressed the urgency of preserving natural resources, particularly water bodies and forest cover, to mitigate the effects of climate change and ensure sustainable growth.

“We are moving towards modernization and commercialization, but it is our responsibility to balance progress with environmental sustainability. Conservation of water and afforestation must be our top priorities,” said the Minister.

He stressed the need for sustainable practices. “We are facing many challenges, but it is our duty to address them. We must plant more trees, conserve water and ensure our environment remains sustainable. Our department has several schemes, such as Amrit Sarovar, to improve water reservoirs and promote environmental health,” he added.

The Minister also said that the watershed yatra is a significant step towards a better future. He urged upon the students and local communities to actively participate in environmental conservation. “It is not just the duty of the department but also of every individual to preserve water bodies and maintain the environment. We are suffering from global warming, and it is our collective responsibility to address it,” he said.

On the occasion, the Minister also flagged off the “Watershed Yatra Van” from Hiranagar. The van will traverse 2,400 km across Jammu and Kashmir, reaching over 5 lakh residents through interactive workshops, community activities, and awareness drives.

The campaign, running until March 1, 2025, will conclude in Jammu, showcasing advanced techniques in watershed conservation, soil health enhancement, and rainwater harvesting.

The Minister also planted a tree at GDC Hiranagar and e-inaugurated several initiatives under the Watershed Development Component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 (WDC-PMKSY 2.0).

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Rural Development Department and Panchayati Raj (RDD&PR), Mohammad Aijaz Asad, emphasised that the Watershed Yatra is not just a government-led project but a community-driven mission. “This is not the government’s journey; it is your journey. It is a movement for the people, by the people. Every individual, every community must take ownership of water conservation,” he stated.

MLA Kathua Dr. Bharat Bhushan, MLA Hiranagar Vijay Kumar Sharma, and MLA Billawar Satish Kumar Sharma were also present on the occasion.

Among others, Secretary in RDD & PR Department, Rachna Sharma, Director RDD Jammu Mumtaz Ali, Mission Director JKRLM, Shubhra Sharma, Director Panchayati Raj, J&K Sham Lal, Chief Executive Officer, IWMP, Rajnish Kumar, Chief Operating Officer, HIMAYAT, Rajneesh Gupta and others also attended the event.