Precious Kashmir

Only 53% J&K’s rural population has access to adequate drinking water: NITI Aayog Index

Jammu & Kashmir

08/06/2021

By: Sajidah Yousuf

Srinagar: In Jammu and Kashmir, only 53 percent population of rural areas are getting safe and adequate drinking water through pipe water supply, reveals NITI Aayog Sustainable Development Goal index 2021.

According to the figures of NITI Aayog accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), “52.87 percent of the rural population in Jammu and Kashmir is getting safe and adequate drinking water within premises through pipe water supply.”

It states that the Jal Jeevan Mission was aimed to provide piped water supply to the entire rural population by 2024.

Besides, the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory has performed better than states in Sustainable Development Goal India Index 2020-21 (SDG) for clean water and sanitation.

The data revealed in NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goal India Index 2020-21 which was released earlier this week shows that 99.89% rural population in JK have improved sources of drinking water.

It also states that Jammu and Kashmir has scored 88 points in the index leaving behind the states in line which include Punjab, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Odhisa and others.

As per the SDG goals of clean water and sanitization, 100 percent of individual household toilets have been constructed against target Swachh Bharat Mission Gramin (SBM (G)).

The data reveals that in Jammu and Kashmir, industries complying with waste water treatment as per CPCB norms stand at 97.31.

The NITI Aayog report also states that the indicators have been selected based on the availability of data at the sub-national level and to ensure comparability across States and UT’s.

Pertinent to mention that the SDG Index Score for Goal ranges between 54 and 100 for States and between 61 and 100 for UT’s—(KNO)

DGP sanctions scholarships in favour of wards of policemen

City

Precious Kashmir

08/06/2021

Srinagar: Encouraging and appreciating the hard work of the wards of cops who have excelled in academic annual examination during the session 2020-21, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Monday sanctioned meritorious scholarships and scholarships of over Rs 7.40 lakh in favour of 139 wards of serving and deceased police personnel under different orders.

A police statement said the DGP sanctioned over Rs 4.82 lakh for 93 meritorious wards of serving police personnel who have secured 80% and above marks in the Annual Examination of Class 10th during the academic session 2020.

Among these Rs 6000 each have been sanctioned in favour of fifty-five meritorious wards who secured 90% and above marks and rupees 4000 each have been sanctioned in favour of thirty eight meritorious wards who have secured 80% and above marks.

Vide PHQ, J&K order number 1706 of 2021, the DGP has also sanctioned meritorious scholarship of rupees 78,500 in favour of eight wards of serving Police personnel who have secured 80% and above marks in the Annual Examination of Graduation/Post Graduation during the academic session 2020-21.

Among these rupees 12,000 each has been sanctioned in favour of three meritorious wards who have secured 80% and above marks in the Annual Examination of Post Graduation and rupees 8,500 each have been sanctioned in favour of five meritorious wards who have secured 80% and above marks in the annual examination of Graduation. The amount has been sanctioned out of Central Police Welfare Fund.

Besides, the DGP has sanctioned Rs 5,000 each in favour of thirty-eight wards with the academic status of different courses from primary to the undergraduate of deceased police personnel who expired while in service due to natural/ accidental deaths.

Save Another Adda From Falling Prey To Wild

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Oped

Precious Kashmir

07/06/2021

Save Another Adda From Falling Prey To Wild

Over the years, there has been a substantial increase in man-animal conflicts, leading to the loss or injury to the precious life. Also, importantly, the rising incidents of man-animal confrontation allude to disturbances caused in wildlife.

Last week, a 4-year-old girl, Adda, was taken away by leopards from a partially walled kitchen garden of a downtown family living in the shade of a wild nursery, plunging not only the bereaved relations but the entire valley into mourning. Leap of leopards has been seen wandering in the human population in Ompora and other areas of Budgam for quite some time. Earlier this year a leopard was even spotted in Bagh-e-Mehtab area of Srinagar. Also, in January this year, animal organs including eight leopard hides, four musk deer pods and 38 bear gallbladders were found in possession of a man arrested in Anantnag. It points out poaching and calls for the need to strengthen the available means with necessary checks and balances to arrest the threat to the wildlife.

Destruction of forests sends wild animals closer to humans. There were reports when the covid-19 pandemic started that the animals carry virus along with them. The biodiversity in forests harmlessly retains dangerous viruses and other pathogens among a vast pool of wild animals, away from people.

This aspect also underscores the value of maintaining viable ecosystems, and eliminating the entry of the wild animals from entering human surroundings.

There has been reckless exploitation of the environment over the years. Both officials at the helm of affairs and people are responsible. The growing man-animal conflicts serve as a dire warning to all the concerned that there should be no hasty permissions for projects in already enfeebled forests. There is ample evidence that environmental protection confers health protection and forests should be left undisturbed.

If poaching is one aspect of the conservation challenge, the other side of the story is the fast encroachments that threaten to endanger animals and the environment.

There is a need to promote conservation encompassing survival of all as well as diversity of the ecosystem. There is a need to create awareness, as also the action aimed at preventing people from causing disturbances to the wildlife. Also, there is an urgent need for the authorities to sensitise people and also devise foolproof measures to tackle wild animals as and when they venture close to human populations so as to prevent another Adda from falling prey to wild beasts.

Leopards spotted on many occasions in Budgam, claim residents

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

07/06/2021

Leopards spotted on many occasions in Budgam, claim residents

‘Cleaning nursery on time could have saved life of 4-year old girl’

Afaq Bhat

Srinagar: After a heart wrenching incident of a leopard taking away a 4-year old girl at Ompura in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, authorities announced slew of measures to prevent such incidents from recurring.

The measures include immediate removal of fallen material and other cultural operations at Ompora forests and other risk areas forthwith in order to avoid any further loss of life and property in the area.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) , PP Division Budgam has been asked to take immediate steps for erection and strengthening of existing chain-link fencing at Ompora forests and will also submit DPR to the higher authorities for sanction of funds.

He was also directed to process the proposal/ case for sanction of thinning of the forest immediately.

Wild life Warden Budgam has been asked to deploy staff well equipped with machinery for elimination of the wild animal (leopard) which has turned a man-eater after obtaining sanction from the competent authority.

A resident while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “It’s not for the first time that a leopard appeared in any area of Budgam. Leopards have been moving around in the district for a long time and people have time and again informed the authorities about the movement of wild animals. These measures should have been taken long back. One hopes that the directions that have been passed are implemented in letter and spirit so that no other unfortunate incident takes place in future.”

The resident said that had the officials acted on time by tracing the leopards or cleaning the nursery, the life of the 4-year old girl could have been saved.

An observer said, “Incidents of man-animal conflict have been on rise in Kashmir. Wild animals are venturing into the residential areas due to human intervention into their habitations. Leopard killing a minor girl has sent shockwaves across the Valley and has left people worried. Corrective measures need to be taken before it becomes too late.”

He said, “Forest areas have to be left untouched so that wild animals don’t venture into the colonies that have been established near the forest areas. The Wildlife Department has to remain more vigilant and careful in the forest areas that are close to the human habitations. If we have to prevent the incidents of man-animal conflicts in future things have to change. The district administration Budgam has made a beginning by acting tough and the officials in other areas should take a cue from it.”

Apathy: GMC Anantnag sans MRI, ECHO facilities despite fund availability

Anchor stories

Ahmed Shabir

07/06/2021

Apathy: GMC Anantnag sans MRI, ECHO facilities despite fund availability

Patients suffer, MS says hospital running short of space to accommodate MRI machine

By: Ahmad Shabir

Anantnag: After claims of alleged inadequate ICU beds for Covid management at the facility, the lack of MRI and ECHO facilities at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag has come under severe criticism with the patients, alleging it to be a reason of immense hardships.

The people in the district were jubilant when GMC was made operational back in 2018, hoping that it would put an end to the trouble they were facing while travelling to Srinagar to seek treatment for their ailments.

However, more than two years later, the facility continues to remain without facilities like MRI and ECHO again, forcing the patients either to visit Srinagar hospitals or private diagnostic centers, which only added to their miseries.

Since the facility started functioning two years ago, the government, according to official sources, released nearly Rs 70 crore for raising the infrastructure of the GMC.

However, despite the huge availability of money, the health care facility continues to function with almost the same facilities it had earlier at the time of being a district hospital.

“Due to the non-availability of MRI facilities in the medical college patients are forced to go to SKIMS, SMHS or private diagnostic centers to get the test done. Most of the patients in order to avoid the trouble of covering long distances to Srinagar prefer to visit the lone MRI facility in the town where they are charged at will. Since the diagnostic center has no competition in the town, patients are charged much more than that of Srinagar MRI centers,” said a doctor posted at GMC Anantnag.

The cardiology department which is run by a single doctor has no Echocardiogram facility badly telling upon the pockets of poor patients at private diagnostic centers.

“At private diagnostic centers, patients are made to pay Rs 1600 to Rs 1700 for ECHO. It is ironic that patients even for ECHO have to move to private diagnostic centers. It is a joke in the name of healthcare,” a Para-medic said.

If the facility is made available in the hospital,, he said, the charges for ECHO won’t be more than 500 Rs thus poor patients will get a major relief.

In the absence of MRI doctors are left with no option but to refer the patients needing immediate MRI investigation to Srinagar hospitals.

“Many a time such patients die on the way to Srinagar due to delayed treatment,” a source told Precious Kashmir.

An official said that JK Medical Corporation has floated tenders for the ECHO facility and money for the same has also been released to the corporation.

“We are expecting the arrival of the machine in one month,” the official said.

Medical Superintendent, GMC Anantnag Dr Mohammad Iqbal said that getting an MRI machine for the hospital is a small issue but added that they don’t have a space to install that,” MS said.

52 % leopard attacks recorded close to human habitations in Kashmir: Study

Front

Ibni Maqbool

07/06/2021

52 % leopard attacks recorded close to human habitations in Kashmir: Study

By: Ibni Maqbool

Srinagar: A study has revealed that 52 per cent of leopard attacks in Kashmir Valley have been recorded close to human habitations.

The study carried out by J&K’s department of Wildlife Protection and Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) lays bare that 52 per cent of the incidents were recorded close to habitation, with 20 per cent occurring close to the homestead.

“Close to 44 per cent of leopard incidents were recorded while the victim was involved in activities involving movement into forested areas (tending livestock, non-timber forest product (NTFP) and firewood collection) but 52 per cent of the incidents were recorded close to habitation, with 20% occurring close to the homestead,” reads the study titled “predator alert”.

The study is based on 73 attacks by leopards on humans in Kashmir Valley between 1996 to 2007.

The data suggested that leopard attacks were more common in the winter -spring seasons. “Most attacks occurred in daylight hours,” the study reveals.

According to the study, 58 per cent of incidents involving leopards resulted in the death.

It has also revealed that leopards primarily attacked the neck region of victims.

Among victims of leopard attacks, the study reveals, the majority of victims fall in pre-school children (<7 years) and school-going children (8-18 years).

As per findings of the study, the leopard attacks are higher in concentration in the Kupwara, Handwara areas (north Kashmir) with some dispersed in Khrew-Khonmoh and Shangus areas also.

“The LISA maps indicated four areas of leopard conflict in the valley. These are the Kupwara, Handwara and Bandipora areas in the north and Shangus region of Anantnag in the south. The leopard conflict was directly proportional to watersheds under forest, patch density, and juxtaposition of the forest and areas away from protected areas,” the document states.

Last week, a five-year-old girl was mauled to death by a leopard in Humhama area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

The kid was taken away by a leopard from the lawns of her house when she was playing there on Thursday. Her mutilated body was found in a nearby forest nursery on Friday.

CS to preside maiden meeting of top police, civil admin today

Front

Precious Kashmir

07/06/2021

DDC Chairmen among public representatives to attend virtual conference

Srinagar: The newly appointed Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta is all set to chair a virtual meeting of all the top brass from civil and police administration on Monday. The public representatives including the recently elected District Development Council (DDCs) Chairmen will also attend the meeting.

Official sources said that the Chief Secretary will interact with public representatives, civil and police administration top brass on Monday.

The Chief Secretary will interact with DDC Chairmen of all districts of Jammu and Kashmir, both Divisional Commissioners from Kashmir and Jammu, Additional Director General of Police, Jammu Zone, Inspector General of Police Kashmir Zone, Deputy Commissioners of all districts of Jammu and Kashmir, District Superintendent of Police of all districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

Sources added that besides public representatives and officers, the Principal Secretary, Home Department has also been asked to attend the said meeting from the Meeting Hall that will be held in Civil Secretariat, Srinagar at 4pm on Monday.

“Deputy Commissioners have been directed to ensure that name plates be prominently displayed in front of every participant during the meeting.”

This will be the first meeting of the new Chief Secretary with the public representatives, civil and police administration.

J&K reports 1,440 Covid-19 cases, lowest in 52 days

Front

Nadeem Nadu

07/06/2021

Covid-19: UT records 25 fatalities in 24 hours

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir recorded further decline in the number of daily covid-19 cases with 1440 infections, lowest single-day tally in 52 days, in the last 24 hours even as 23 people succumbed to the virus during the time, officials said on Sunday.

They said 338 cases were confirmed from Jammu Division and 1102 from Kashmir Valley, taking the total case tally to 300490. It was on april 15 when J&K reported 1441 cases.

Regarding the deaths, they said, eight were reported from Jammu Division and 15 from Kashmir, taking the total fatality count to 4074.

Moreover, they said, 3099 more COVID-19 patients have recovered—920 from Jammu Division and 2179 from Kashmir. There are 26741 active cases—9620 in Jammu and 17121 in Kashmir.

Providing district wise details, the officials said that Srinagar reported 264 cases, Baramulla 136, Budgam 145, Pulwama 123, Kupwara 103, Anantnag 86, Bandipora 40, Ganderbal 45, Kulgam 140, Shopian 20, Jammu 70, Udhampur 13, Rajouri 46, Doda 47, Kathua 21, Samba 16, Kishtwar 10, Poonch 70, Ramban 27 and Reasi 18.

A number of the fresh cases were confirmed at CD hospital and GMC Anantnag’s diagnostic laboratories.

The CD cases include female (60) (NA) from Khaniyar, male (65) (NA) from Bandipora, female (75) (NA) from Budgam, female (45) (NA) from HMT, female (22) (NA) from Shalimar, female (22) (NA) from Qamarwari, male (25) (NA) from Sopore, male (47) from Noorbagh, male (22) from Noorbagh, male (29) (NA) from Sangam, male (50) (NA) from Nawakadal, female (40) (NA) from Noorbagh, male (45) (NA) from Goripora, female (28) (NA) from Rainawari, male (52) (NA) from Parimpora, male (25) from Popin plywood sidco, male (18) from Popin plywood sidco, male (30) from Popin plywood sidco, male (22) from Popin plywood sidco, male (25) from Popin plywood sidco, male (16) from Popin plywood sidco, male (15) from Popin plywood sidco, male (16) from Popin plywood sidco, male (16) from Allied plywood sidco, male (19) from Jk plywood sidco, male (16) from Lassipora, male (45) from Lassipora, male (18) from Lassipora, male (16) from Lassipora, male (18) from Lassipora, male (18) from Lassipora, female (60) from Zaffron colony, male (50) from Konibal, female (30) from Namlabal Pampore, male (45) from Pahoo, male (38) from Drangbal Pampore, female (55) from Rainawari, female (80) from Hatiwara, female (55) from Frestbal Pampore, male (26 Prisoner) from Kakapora, male (50) from Sangrwani pulwama, male (48) from Gusoo, male (29) (NA) from Tengwani Shopian, female (35) (NA) from Kalampora Rajpora, female (70) (NA) from Shadimarg pulwama, male (22) (NA) from Dangerpora, male (32) (NA) from Shadimarg pulwama, male (35) (NA) from Dangerpora pulwama, male (08) (NA) from Gabbarpora pulwama, male (74) (NA) from Gabbarpora pulwama, female (38) (NA) from Gabbarpora pulwama, male (60) (NA) from Rajpora, female (27) (NA) from Arihal pulwama, female (55) from Amlar, female (37) from Amlar, male (25) from Amlar, female (22) from Amlar, male (19) from Amlar, female (13) from Amlar, male (65) from Amlar, female (55) from Amlar, female (28) from Amlar, male (20) from Chandergam, female (55) from Chandergam, male (18) from Gamraaj, female (40) from Batagund, male (60) from Lurgam, female (15) from Lurgam, female (09) from Lurgam, male (40) from Laam, male (55) from Larnoo, male (31) from Latapora, male (55) from Goripora, female (20) (NA) from Habakadal, female (37) (NA) from Natipora, male (30) (NA) from Alochibagh, male (18) (NA) from Rasai, male (35) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (61) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (67) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (47) (NA) from Alochibagh, male (25) (NA) from Mehjoor Nagar, male (47) (NA) from Natipora, female (22) (NA) from Eidgah, female (27) (NA) from Parimpora, male (56) (NA) from Dalgate, male (66) (NA) from Bemina, female (22) (NA) from Narwara, male (33) (NA) from Chanpora, male (63) (NA) from Nowgam, male (41) (NA) from Bemina, female (35) (NA) from Bemina, male (71) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (32) (NA) from Jawaharnagar, male (38) (NA) from HMT, male (19) (NA) from Batamaloo, female (34) (NA) from Natipora, male (62) (NA) from Bemina, male (28) (NA) from Karnah, male (37) (NA) from Malura, female (23) (NA) from Sumbal, female (14) (NA) from Malura, female (15) (NA) from Malura, female (11) (NA) from Malura, male (28) (NA) from Tankipora, male (44) (NA) from Hyderpora, female (44) (NA) from Hyderpora, female (13) (NA) from Hyderpora, male (16) (NA) from Sonwar, female (75) (NA) from Sonwar, female (44) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (30) (NA) from Batamaloo, female (50) (NA) from Batamaloo, male (62) (NA) from Bemina, female (54) (NA) from Bemina, female (32) (NA) from Batamaloo, female (11) (NA) from Batamaloo, female (52) (NA) from Tankipora, male (38) (NA) from Nowgam Bypass, female (35) (NA) from Nowgam Bypass, male (05) (NA) from Nowgam Bypass and male (70) (NA) from Tangdhar.

The GMC cases include female (59) from Narpora, female (60) from Kachwan, female (41) (NA) from Verinag, female (24) (NA) from Nowgam, male (23) (NA) from Nowgam, male (31) from Mattan, female (35) from Nanil, female (27) (NA) from Hakhura, female (33) (NA) from Hakhura, female (26) from Nowgam Anantnag, male (28) from Laram, male (62) from Dialgam, male (65) (NA) from Banihal, female (31) from Sarnal, female (22) from Cheeni Chowk, male (75) from Botingoo, male (55) from Anchidoora, male (45) from Shairbagh, male (25) from Sadoora, female (65) from Verinag, male (63) from Janglat mundi, male (31) from Cheeni Chowk, male (06) from Mominabad, female (42) from Nanil, male (31) (NA) from Chontipora, female (22) (NA) from Verinag, male (65) (NA) from Nowgam, female (56) (NA) from Gucchan, female (51) (NA) from Bragam, female (40) (NA) from Kokagund, male (25) (NA) from Verinag, female (65) (NA) from Meer Maidan Dooru, male (32) (NA) from Changoo, male (47) (NA) from Hallan, male (21) from Mattan, female (22) from Mattan, female (25) from Hakhura, male (49) from Soaf, male (44) from Narpora, male (27) from Sagam, female (45) (NA) from Verinag, female (32) (NA) from Dooru, male (63) (NA) from Manzgam, male (28) (NA) from DK Marg, male (40) (NA) from Badijahalan and male (45) (NA) from Badroo. (GNS)

India logs 2,677 deaths, 1.14 lakh new Covid-19 cases

Front

United News Of India

07/06/2021

New Delhi: India on Sunday recorded 1,14,460 new cases of COVID-19 during the past 24 hours, pushing the country caseload to 2,88,09,339, while the death toll soared to 3,46,759 with 2677 more fatalities.

According to the Union Health Ministry, the active cases declined by 77,449 to stand at 14,77,799. It is now 5.13 per cent of the total caseload.

The past 24 hours saw 1,89,232 people recovering from the deadly virus, taking the total recovery count to 2,69,84,781, which is 93.67 per cent of the case tally. The fatality rate stood at 1.20 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that a total of 36,47,46,522 lakh samples have been tested so far for coronavirus. Out of this, 20,36,311 were tested on Saturday.

Till now 23,13,22,417 people have been administered COVID-19 vaccines, with 33,53,539 being inoculated against the virus in the past 24 hrs.

24 arrested for violation norms in Kashmir: Police

Front

United News Of India

07/06/2021

Srinagar: As many as 2105 people were fined while 24 were arrested during the last 24 hours for violating COVID guidelines in Kashmir valley.

A police spokesperson on Sunday said continuing its efforts to curb the outbreak of the second wave of coronavirus, J&K police enhanced its efforts to sensitise the masses about controlling the highly contagious COVID-19.

“During the last 24 hours, police arrested 24 people, lodged six FIRs and also realized fine to the tune of Rs 2,40,470 from 2105 people in the valley for violating the various guidelines/rules/SOPs regarding Covid-19,” he said.

He said the special drive against the violators of Covid-19 guidelines/rules continued in all the districts of Kashmir Valley to ensure that people adhere to SOPs/guidelines envisaged by the government to curb COVID-19 pandemic.

“Community members are once again requested to cooperate with the Police in containing the spread of Coronavirus by following the SOPs/ guidelines/protocols for their own safety and for the safety of others,” he said, adding that the special drives will continue throughout the districts of Kashmir Valley to strengthen the safety measures.

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