J&K govt submits Rs 34 cr wetland project report to Centre

Jammu and Kashmir government has submitted a report for a project worth Rs 34.04 crore to the central government for eco-restoration of wetlands in the state.
Replying to a question by Congress member Mohammad Muzaffar Parray in the upper house, Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Lal Singh said that the proposal has been submitted for the project of Rs 34.04 crores for eco-restoration of wetlands under National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-Systems (NPCA).
Singh said under the project the eco-restoration measures of Hokersar, Haigam and allied wetlands would be taken up after approval of funds from the Centre.

He said the project report among other things contemplates the dredging out of slit from outfall channels of Haigam, Mirgund and Chatlum wetlands for which Rs 5.62 crores has been envisaged.
He said besides, one Water Master Classic IV has also been proposed for dredging of all critically silted areas in wetlands.
The minister informed that currently Wild Protection Department is managing 15 notified wetlands out of which 8 wetlands namely Haigam, Mirgund, Shallabugh, Freshkori, Manibugh, Chatlum, Kranchoo and Hokersar are in Kashmir region and three - Surinsar-Mansar, Gharana and Ranjit Sagar - are in Jammu region while four - Pangong lake, Tso Moriri, Tsokar Tso and Tsigul Tso - are in Ladakh region.

The minister said Wullar lake is managed by Wullar Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA).

He said that massive conservation process will start very soon on Wullar lake by way of dredging and axing of remaining willow trees to bring the lake in its original shape.
He said government would also take all necessary steps for eviction of encroached land of Wullar lake and other wetlands in the state.
Singh said that under the lake conservation project, Rs 60 lakh has been released by the Centre of which Rs 27 crores were utilised so far on its conservation.