Srinagar: Two committees of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Friday reviewed issues related to alleged encroachment of grazing land in Khimber Hazratbal and conservation of major lakes and wetlands across the Union Territory.
The Committee on Petitions, chaired by Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah, examined the long-pending grievance of residents of Khimber Hazratbal regarding the alleged illegal occupation of their traditional grazing land. Members Javaid Riyaz (Bedar), Dr Sajjad Shafi, Javaid Iqbal Choudhary and Shagun Parihar attended the meeting, along with Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo and other officials.
During the meeting, Shah said government land belongs to the people and should not be allowed to fall into the hands of a few individuals. He directed the district administration to identify those involved in the alleged encroachment, take strict action against land mafia elements and ensure retrieval of the illegally occupied land. The Deputy Commissioner briefed the committee on the status of the land and issues related to the alleged occupation of the traditional grazing area.
Meanwhile, the Committee on Environment, chaired by Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, reviewed measures for the conservation and management of Hokersar, Manasbal, Wular, Nigeen, Mansar and Surinsar lakes, besides other wetlands across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by committee members Prof Gharu Ram, Dr Baldev Raj Sharma, Daleep Singh, Showkat Hussain Ganie, Javaid Ahmad Mirchal, Sajjad Shafi, Dr Rameshwar Singh and Devyani Rana, along with senior officials from the Wildlife Department, Pollution Control Committee, LCMA, WUCMA and Manasbal Development Authority.
Tarigami said wetlands are vital for ecological balance, biodiversity conservation and flood mitigation in Jammu and Kashmir. Expressing concern over environmental pollution and human interference, he stressed that conservation efforts must be guided by scientific data and community participation. He directed departments to submit time-bound Action Taken Reports on conservation measures for six major lakes and other wetlands.
The committee was informed that a satellite-based wetland mapping exercise has identified around 1,700 wetlands across the Union Territory, including those smaller than one hectare. Officials also informed the panel that a UT-level portal is being developed to provide information on forest boundaries and the Wildlife Department’s protected area network.
Tarigami directed that the portal be made public-friendly and accessible to legislators, government departments and the public. He also asked officials to gradually incorporate data on vegetation, rivers, water bodies and other ecological features to improve transparency and encourage community participation in wetland conservation.
