DDC Rajouri discusses implementation of District Environment Plan

Rajouri: District Development Commissioner, Rajouri, Rajesh Kumar Shavan today chaired a meeting to discuss and finalise the District Environment Plan envisaging a host of activities to be taken up by different departments.
The Environment plan has been formulated in consonance with the National Green Tribunal guidelines for improvement of the environment.
The District Development Commissioner said the plan aims at improving overall parameters of the environment in the district, including widespread plantation initiatives, measures to curb the use of plastic/ polythene, improving the disposal of solid waste and hospital waste, community participation and mass awareness, strengthening Green Clubs, soil and moisture conservation, water conservation, measures aimed at curbing air and water pollution, curb the illegal mining etc.
A detailed discussion was held regarding various initiatives for environmental conservation and improving parameters.
To curb the illegal mining from the river beds, the Deputy Commissioner directed the District Mineral Officers to identify the spots for scientific extraction. The Assistant Commissioner revenue will help the DMO in clearing the title verification of the identified quarry points, he said.
The DC laid stress on Solid Waste Management for maintaining the quality of the life in the urban areas. “As there is a shortage of manpower, the private firms have been roped in for door to door collection and separation of the waste”, the District Development Commissioner added.
The EO MC Rajouri was directed to identify the landfills in the area under his jurisdiction He was further directed to excavate the trenches and unload the garbage.
The Assistant Commissioner Development Rajouri and EOs were directed to generate awareness in their areas of jurisdiction about the irrational and irregular dumping of waste and their harmful effects.
In a bid to curb the usage of single-use plastic, the need to put up special checkpoints at the entrance of the district was stressed upon.
It was also decided that the Forest Department, Social Forestry and the environmental experts from BGBSU would work on the introduction of Biotic plant species, which helps in reducing the pollution of different types.
The Assistant Commissioner Development was directed to disseminate the information about the ban on single-use plastic in the panchayats through the Village Level Workers and Lok Mitras.
The DDC also asked to involve volunteers, professionals and interested citizens for taking steps to improve the local environment and taking part in activities planned by the District Administration.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Sher Singh; Divisional Forest Officer, Arshdeep Singh; Divisional Forest Officer Nowshera, Suresh Panda; Senior Environmental Expert from BGBSU; General Manager DIC, Manzoor Hussain; Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Mohd Ashraf; Assistant Commissioner Development, Sushil Khajuria; District Panchayat Officer, Chandrakant Bhagat, EXN Jal Shakti/I&FC, EO’s and offer officers.