Panel to suggest measures to help reduce risk to life, properties during disasters
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 13: The University of Kashmir has constituted a high-level working group, headed by Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad, to share amongst stakeholders all disaster-related knowledge and information generated in the varsity to help devise effective disaster management strategies and frameworks across the mountainous region of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
This is one of the several working groups being headed by Talat to help the government and society in developing strategies aimed at reducing risk to people and infrastructure in the eventuality of any disaster.
The 18-member working group comprises top-notch administrators from the UT government, civil society members and eminent academics and researchers from University of Kashmir and other relevant institutions.
Talat said the academia, in partnership with other institutions, will continue to initiate and strengthen measures so that people of the region, despite being highly vulnerable to disasters, can manage disasters with least costs to life and infrastructure.
Previously, the VC said, the University of Kashmir has been actively involved in suggesting measures for disaster management in other states like Uttarakhand during the 2013 disaster in Kedarnath.
Prof Shakil Romshoo, Dean of Research at KU—a member of the working group—said the University has generated a plethora of knowledge about various disasters that should inform policymaking on disaster management in the UTs of J&K and Ladakh.
“The University has the expertise and tools to help the UT government in developing robust disaster risk-reduction plans to respond better to disaster emergencies and to minimise loss of life and property in case of any eventuality,” he said.
The panel, according to its Terms of Reference (ToRs), will also suggest a mechanism to build a voluntary pool of disaster management activists in all institutions/agencies for an effective response system on the ground, alongside framing an action plan for building a new generation of disaster-conscious citizenry to eventually establish a culture of disaster preparedness among the people.
The working group members include CEO, Economic Reconstruction Agency J&K; Vice-Chairman, SDA, J&K Government; Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control Department; Chief Engineer, Border Roads Organisation (Beacon); Amir Ali, Director, Disaster Management Department, J&K; Sonam Lotus, Director, IMD, Srinagar; Dr G M Dar, Director Disaster Management Institute, IMPA; Prof A R Dar, Department of Civil Engineering NIT Srinagar; Khurshid A Ganai, former IAS officer, J&K (civil society); Prof Shamim A Shah, HoD Geography Department, KU; Prof Ghulam Jeelani, HoD, Earth Sciences, KU; Dr Peerzada Amin, Department of Sociology KU; Dr Salima Jan, Director EMRC KU; Dr Mussavir Ahmad, Coordinator NSS KU, and Dr Rakesh Chandra, Department of Earth Sciences KU (Member Secretary).
KU V-C to head 18-member working group on disaster management
Govt survey finds drastic rise in obesity among kids under 5 years
New Delhi, Dec 13: The latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS) has found a drastic rise in obesity among children under five years of age in 20 of the 22 states where the study was conducted, with experts attributing it to lack of physical activity and unhealthy food habits.
According to the NHFS-5, several states and Union Territories, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Mizoram, Tripura, Lakshadweep, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, have registered several folds increase in the percentage of obesity among children below five years of age in comparison to NFHS-4 conducted between 2015 and 2016.
Only Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu registered a drop in the number of overweight children under five years of age, the data showed.
About 13.4 per cent children under the age of five were found to be obese in Ladakh which was highest among the 22 states and Union Territories surveyed, followed by Lakshadweep at 10.5 per cent, Mizoram 10 per cent, Jammu and Kashmir, and Sikkim 9.6 per cent each.
Not just children, rise in obesity has even been recorded in adults in the latest survey in comparison to NFHS-4.
According to the survey data, 16 states and Union Territories registered a rise in obesity among women while 19 states and UTs recorded an increase in obesity among men.
Kerala and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands recorded the highest percentage of obesity among women at 38 per cent. Also, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep recorded the highest percentage of obesity among women at over 40 per cent.
Men and women were counted as obese whose body mass index was found to be over or equal to 25.0 kg/m2 while children’s obesity was counted in terms of weight-for-height.
Healthcare experts have attributed the rise in obesity to unhealthy food choices and lack of physical activities among children and even adults.
Sheila Vir, a public health nutrition expert and founder director of Public Health Nutrition and Development Centre, said there is also lack of awareness on what are good food habits.
Also, high-fat and high-sugar foods are easily available and so there is higher consumption of it, she said.
“We have a double burden of undernutrition, malnutrition and overnutrition occurring together. So, I think what to feed a child is what we are going wrong in,” Vir said.
In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, she also raised concern over the rise in obesity.
“There might be an increase in obesity among children in view of COVID-19 pandemic as after closure of schools, there was lack of physical activity among children and even in adults in some cases,” she said.
Dr. Khan Amir Maroof, Professor at Department of Community Medicine, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital termed the rise in obesity a “very disturbing sign”.
“Obesity is a manifestation of what is rapidly changing in our environment. Of late, we see trends which increase the risk of developing obesity. Environmental factors, such as availability and consumption of junk foods, poor complementary feeding, lack of outdoor activity, and increased screen time on may be the reason for this trend,” he said.
“For children, we need to flag screen time as it has multi-dimensional effects on children, obesity, being one of them. The focus has been on breastfeeding, but now it’s time that complementary feeding is also focused upon,” Dr Maroof suggested.
About the repercussions of obesity among children, he said non-communicable diseases can develop among obese children earlier than others.
“There are higher chances for them being bullied in schools, neglected or shamed by peers, which lead to mental health problems among them,” he said.
Among adults, he said more consumption of ready-to-eat foods, increase in screen time with the 24-hour access to web content, and lack of outdoor spaces seem to be hitting adults with obesity.
He suggested that children, with more stress on complementary feeding practices in the community, and reducing screen time, can be the immediate actions.
“Counselling of breastfeeding mothers of children around 4 months of age should focus on counselling on complementary feeding. We find that all mothers know ‘what’ to give to the child but ‘how much’, ‘when’ and in ‘what consistency’ need to be explained with respect to complementary feeding. Intervention strategies to reduce screen time are needed,” he said.
The NFHS results of 17 states and five Union Territories have been released now as phase-one. The phase-two results covering other states will be released next year, the health ministry had said.
The present NFHS was conducted on 6.1 lakh sample households, involving household-level interviews to collect information on population, health, family planning and nutrition related indicators.
Dozens of far-flung, remote areas remain cutoff in north Kashmir
Srinagar, Dec 13: Dozens of far-flung and remote villages, including border towns of Keran, Karnah and Tanghdar, remained cutoff on Sunday for the second successive day due to accumulation of snow and slippery road conditions in north Kashmir.
Meanwhile, traffic to border towns of Gurez in Bandipora and Machil in Kupwara remained suspended since December 8 due to accumulation of about two to three feet of snow.
“Traffic remained suspended to dozens of far-flung and remote villages, including Kernah, Keran and Tanghdar, due to slippery road conditions and accumulation of snow,” an official of Police Control Room (PCR), Kupwara said.
He said Sadhna top, Z gali and Phirkiyan pass received about a foot to 2 feet of fresh snowfall since Friday last. “Snow clearance operation has been started in these areas following improvement in the weather,” he said, adding traffic will be resumed only after getting a green signal from officials deployed on the ground.
This is the second time traffic was suspended to these areas this week. Traffic was on Friday restored to these border areas after remaining suspended for three days.
An official of Police Control Room (PCR) from Bandipora told UNI that Gurez remained closed for traffic since December 8. “Razdan pass, connecting Gurez, Neeru and dozens of other areas near LoC with district headquarters Bandipora, received fresh snowfall since Friday night hampering the snow clearance operation,” he said.
All farm union heads to observe hunger strike today
New Delhi, Dec 13: The heads of all farmer unions protesting against the Centre’s new agriculture laws have announced that they will observe a one-day hunger strike on Monday, farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni said on Sunday.
The hunger strike will be observed from between 8 am to 5 pm on Monday and it is part of the farmers’ plan to intensify their agitation from December 14.
Addressing a press conference at Singhu border, where the farmers have been camping for the past two weeks, Chaduni said various leaders will observe the hunger strike at their respective protest sites. “Also, dharnas will be staged at all district headquarters across the country. The protest will go on as usual,” he told reporters.
“There are groups that are ending the protest and saying they are in favour of laws passed by the government. We want to clarify that they are not associated with us. They have been hand-in-glove with the government, they conspired to sabotage our protest. The government is hatching a conspiracy to derail the ongoing farmers’ protest,” Chaduni said.
Farmer leader Shiv Kumar Kakka said “Government agencies have been stopping farmers from reaching Delhi, however, our protests will continue until our demands are met. Our stand is clear, we want the three farm laws repealed. All farmer unions participating in this movement stand united.”
Another farmer leader, Rakesh Tikait, said, “if the government again invites us for talks, our committee will decide on it. We appeal to all to maintain peace during protest”.
Sandeep Gidde, another farmer leader, announced at the press conference that the proposed indefinite hunger strike by farmers from December 19 has been cancelled and instead they will observe a day-long strike on Monday.
Illegal Constructions Threaten Life
Illegal construction produces individual benefits and immeasurable social damage. In the Kashmir context, there is a huge negative environmental impact. It continues to be a problem that unfortunately keeps only growing in magnitude, notwithstanding claims by the authorities.
In eco-fragile J&K, environmental concerns cannot be ignored or compromised in any manner, the high court observed and precisely so.
Despite the devastating floods of 2014, the magnitude of which was declared to be the largest catastrophe in a centure, constructions, mostly illegal, galore along the river Jhelum, which is an essential natural feature in the Valley and its protection and preservation has to remain of primary and utmost concern.
It cannot be diluted or compromised under any circumstance as is demanded by the larger public interest. It needs of securing the ecology including all natural features.
Without a dispute, as the court observed further, commercial and institutional developments put a much larger strain on the land and existing public facilities than residential usage. The impact of commercial activity on the limited available water and electricity resources, the public sewers and public garbage collection systems also get affected. Noise and air pollution levels get considerably aggravated as the number of vehicles increases in number and frequency. There is tremendous pressure imposed on the circulation areas also.
Huge buildings are also known to use commercial generators resulting in further noise and air pollution as the impact of commercial activities on the environment as well as public facilities is irreversible.
The apex court of the country has observed that environment is polycentric and multi-facet problem affecting human existence. Its pollution causes bodily disabilities, leading to the non-functioning of the vital organs of the body. Noise and pollution are two of the greatest offenders, the latter affects air, water, natural growth and health of the people. Environmental pollution affects, thereby, the health of the general public. A reference to the Stockhoim Declaration of United Nations on Human Environment, 1972, is apt here: “Man has the fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life. In an environment of equality that permits a life of dignity and well-being and he bears a solemn responsibility to protect and improve the environment for present and future generations.”
It is imperative to understand that it affirms both aspects of environment, the natural and the man-made. The protection is essential to well-being and to the enjoyment of basic human rights–the right to life itself.
DDC polls: AICC J&K incharge makes first appearance after end of 5 phases
Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Dec 11: Congress Party in Jammu and Kashmir has taken a back seat amidst the ongoing District Development Council (DDC) elections in the Union Territory.
According to the analysts the “Grand Old Party” of the country not taking any interest in the ongoing DDC polls has put a question mark over party’s future in J&K. “Leaders of the Congress Party seem to have lost interest in politics. They have gone invisible,” said an analyst.
It’s in place to mention here that AICC incharge J&K, Rajni Patil, appeared in Jammu on Thursday to campaign for the Congress candidates contesting DDC elections. “It was Patil’s first appearance to campaign for DDC polls. The AICC incharge came to J&K after five phases of the ongoing elections were over. Isn’t it strange?” the analyst asked.
He said that the Congress Party is talking about restoration of J&K’s statehood but has omitted Article 370. “The Congress Party has accepted change in J&K’s status-quo and seems in no mood to raise the issue of the revocation of Article 370.”
A politician said that the Congress Party at present is at crossroads in Jammu and Kashmir and doesn’t want to land up I more trouble by raking such issues which don’t fall in its domain. “It has joined hands with Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) to contest these elections. Otherwise it’s not a part of the PAGD.”
The PAGD is an amalgam of Kashmir based parties, including National Conference Peoples Democratic Party and other political formations. The amalgam was constituted just a few months ago to “fight for a bigger cause” but soon after the DDC elections were announced the PAGD jumped into the election fray and decided to contest these polls collectively. The Congress leaders made it amply clear that their party is not a part of the PAGD but will contest the DDC polls jointly with the alliance.
An observer said, “It appears that the Congress won’t be able to make any impact in the ongoing DDC polls. In Kashmir party’s base stands eroded. Jammu region which used to be the bastion of the party has been taken over by the other parties. Many of its old horses have moved towards greener pastures. The Congress has not been left with much to bank upon.”
He said, “Rajni Patil is new to J&K politics and she will take time to understand the dynamics of J&K. May be she may learn the basics by the time next elections are held. The ongoing polls are almost in final stages and time to learn has already ended.”
NC worker shot at, grenade hurled at CRPF camp
Jahangeer Ganaie/Agencies
Pulwama, Dec 11: A National Conference worker was shot outside his residence in Wasoora village is South Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Friday.
An official told KNO that worker affiliated with National Conference was shot at by unknown gunemn, in Wasoora, Pulwama after which he was hospitalized.
He identified the injured politician as Mushtaq Ahmad Dar son of Assadullah Dar resident of Wasoora Pulwama.
An official at the District hospital Pulwama said that Mushtaq has received bullet injury in his leg and his condition is stable. He said that he has been referred to Srinagar for advanced treatment. Sources said that he is affiliated with NC and was campaigning for DDC candidate in the area. A police officer said that area has cordoned off to nab the attackers.
Grenade attack on CRPF camp
Meanwhile, militants lobbed a hand grenade towards a roadside bunker of CRPF in the down town Srinagar early Friday morning, official sources said.
A dog was killed in the blast, they added.
They said militants hurled a hand grenade towards a CRPF bunker at Noorbagh in the down town city at 0630 hrs, shortly before Fajr (morning) prayers. However, the grenade missed the intended target and exploded outside the bunker, they said adding a dog was killed.
Later, security forces conducted searches in the area but the militants had managed to escape. Security forces also pressed into service drones to nab the militants.
Stray bullet injures woman in Budgam
Srinagar, Dec 11: A woman was injured after she was hit by a ‘stray’ bullet allegedly fired from Firing Range of Air Force in central Kashmir district of Budgam.
The injured woman was identified as 65-year-old Fatima, a resident of village Vollina in Budgam. Meanwhile, spontaneous protests broke out after the news of the injuries of the woman by a ‘stray’ bullet spread in the area.
The protestors demanded action against the accused and closure of the firing range. “Damages caused by stray bullets fired from the firing range of air force have become a frequent thing in our village. It has put our lives in danger so we have been demanding for the closure of the firing range immediately,” the protestors, who had blocked the main road, alleged.
Police said that Police Station Budgam received a report that due to some aerial firing few tin roofs in village Vollina have suffered damage and a woman was injured.
An official said that after receiving this information, a police party led by Station House Officer (SHO) Budgam reached the spot and the injured was shifted to hospital for treatment. “On enquiry, it was found that stray bullets fired from firing range of air force had hit the roofs and wounded the woman,” he added.
Roshni Act: CBI submits ATR in J&K HC
Process of hearing review petitions initiated
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Dec 11: The CBI on Friday submitted its Action Taken Report (ATR) in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on the progress in cases registered to probe alleged irregularities in the Roshni Act as the process of hearing review petitions from various individuals was initiated.
CBI counsel Monika Kohli submitted the status report in a sealed cover before the division bench of Acting Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Sanjay Dhar.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration had approached the high court with an urgent hearing motion for preponement of the date in the Roshni Act which was scrapped by the court on October 9 by an order and was also declared “illegal, unconstitutional and unsustainable”. The court had also asked the CBI to probe the allotment of the land under this law.
During the physical hearing, the counsel handed over the ATR in a sealed cover after the court took note of the progress of the investigation carried out by the CBI so far.
Kohli also sought court”s directions to all individuals seeking review of the October 9 case for providing copies of their petition.
The CBI has so far registered nine FIRs, known as Regular Cases (RC) in agency”s parlance, so far in its Jammu and Srinagar branches, besides four Preliminary Enquiries (PEs) to probe the allotment.
Phase-V of Panch, Sarpanch by-elections record 59.90%, 52.43% polling
Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Dec 11: State Election Commissioner, K.K Sharma, Friday informed that 59.90 percent and 52.43 percent voter turnout was recorded in the fifth Phase of vacant Panch and Sarpanch by-polls 2020.
While giving out the details, SEC informed that by-polls for Panch vacant seats was held in 229 constituencies in the 5th phase. Out of a total of 42504 electors (including 22140 males and 20364 females), 25460 voted in the 5th phase of Panch by-elections which began at 7am and ended at 2pm.
SEC said that Jammu division recorded 77.52 per cent and Kashmir division recorded 58.35 per cent voter turnout during the 5th phase of Panch by-elections.
Similarly, 52.43 per cent voting was registered on vacant Sarpanch constituencies during the 5th phase in 125 constituencies in which out of a total of 88078 electors (including 45766 males and 42312 females), 46179 voted to choose their representatives, he added. He further said that 75.84 per cent polling was registered in Jammu division whereas 42.85 per cent polling was recorded in Kashmir division.
SEC said that in Jammu division, Doda district recorded the highest voter turnout of 90.83 per cent for Panch by-elections followed by Reasi with 88.51 per cent and Poonch with 84.09 per cent. Similarly, Budgam district topped with 69 per cent voter turnout in Kashmir division followed by Kupwara with 66.82 per cent and Bandipora with 64.91 per cent.
While giving information about the highest voter turnout in both the divisions, the SEC said that in Sarpanch by-polls, Kupwara recorded the highest voter turnout with 84.24 per cent in Kashmir division followed by Bandipora with 71.60 per cent and Budgam with 55.78 per cent. Besides, Jammu topped the polling percentage with 81.13 per cent in Jammu division followed by Poonch with 80.37 per cent and Reasi with 79.78 per cent, he informed.
SEC also informed that polling was held at 271 polling stations for Sarpanch by-polls and at 229 polling stations for Panch elections.
While giving an overview of the polling process, SEC said that the polling was peaceful and smooth across the region at all polling stations.
