The Legislative Committee on Environment of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly held a high-level review meeting at Assembly Complex here today to assess and examine the pressing environmental issues and challenges faced across Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was presided over by  Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami; Chairman of the Committee and attended by MLAs Peerzada Mohammad Syed, Rajiv Jasrotia,  Peerzada Feroze Ahmad, Khurshied Ahmed, Mushtaq Ahmad Guroo, Irshad Rasool Kar and Darshan Kumar; members of the committee.

Commissioner Secretary, Forests, Ecology and Environment, Sheetal Nanda; Secretary, Legislative Assembly, Manoj Kumar Pandita; PCCF J&K, Chairman Pollution Control Committee; Director Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing and other senior officers of department also attended the meeting.

Speaking during the meeting, Chairman of the Committee, M.Y Tarigami, highlighted that Jammu and Kashmir is very sensitive in terms of environment and nature and therefore we need to collectively work for strengthening our grassroots-level awareness and community involvement for various conservation initiatives. “The ecological balance of Jammu and Kashmir is very fragile. We must act decisively to protect our forests, rivers and biodiversity for future generations”, M.Y Tarigami stated.

Underlining several critical issues of environmental degradation, the Chairman of the Committee emphasized on the department to conduct routine checks on industries and industrial estates and assess whether they are operating under established norms and regulations. He also asked them to keep vigil on operations of stone crushers across the UT and take appropriate measures for reducing their impact on river banks and river beds.

While speaking on waste management and other issues, M.Y Tarigami called upon the officers of the department to organise regular awareness campaigns in schools and colleges across Jammu and Kashmir regarding waste management techniques and environmental protection. He asked the officers to utilise the services of environmental experts and activists, NGOs, scientists and other groups for protection and preservation of environment across UT.

 During the meeting, the members of Committee voiced deep concern over growing environmental degradation in several regions like illegal deforestation,  pollution of water bodies and improper waste management practices. They also expressed displeasure over pollution due to unregulated mining activities and non-functioning of several Sewage Treatment Plants across UT.

The members emphasized on the critical need for sustainable development and called for urgent, coordinated action by government departments and enforcement agencies for environmental preservation and protection.

During the meeting, the Committee resolved to monitor the implementation of key environmental regulations more rigorously. It underscored the importance of strict compliance with the Environment regulations and rules.

The Committee also called for enhancing real-time monitoring of environment through digital tools and bolstering inter-departmental coordination.  They also asked the officers to conduct regular field visits,  engage with stakeholders and locals to gather first hand information regarding environmental concerns.