By: Ibni Maqbool
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has set the ball rolling for preparation of zonal master plans for areas declared as eco-sensitive zones around wildlife sanctuaries in the Union Territory.
To begin with, the government has ordered constitution of district level committees for preparation of the zonal master plans for eco-sensitive zone(s) notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change around four wildlife sanctuaries and one national park.
According to an order, a copy of which is with The Precious Kashmir, the committees would be headed by concerned DCs and concerned wildlife warden would be their member secretary.
The order states that committees shall comprise of district officers of J&K Pollution Control Committee, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Department, Jal Shakti Department (Irrigation and Flood Control), Industries and Commerce Department and a faculty member from faculty of Life Sciences of a degree College of the respective district (to be nominated by the chairman).
The master plan has to prepared for ESZs of Jasrota Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary, Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary, Ramnagar Wildlife Sanctuary and Kishtwar High Altitude National Park.
The committees have been directed to prepare zonal master plans for the respective eco-sensitive zones in the manner as specified in the notifications and the guidelines issued by the central government.
