Environment Ministry asks J&K Govt to come up with Zonal Master Plans within 2 years

Srinagar, Oct 11: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to come up with a Zonal Master Plan for eco-sensitive zones within two years.

As per a fresh notification from the MoEFCC, the UT government has been directed to form a Zonal master Plan in consonance with the relevant Central and Union Territory laws for the conservation of wild habitat in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The Union Territory Government shall, for the purposes of the Eco-sensitive Zone prepare a Zonal Master Plan within a period of two years from the date of publication of this notification in the Official Gazette, in consultation with local people and adhering to the stipulations given in this notification for approval of the competent authority in the Union Territory,” it said.

The MoEFCC has named 12 department for integrating ecological and environmental considerations into the Zonal Master Plan

These departments as per the notification include environment, forests, agriculture, revenue, urban development, tourism, rural development, irrigation & flood control, pollution control board, municipality, panchayati Raj and public works department.

It said the Zonal Master Plan shall not impose any restriction on the approved existing land use, infrastructure and activities.

“The Zonal Master Plan shall factor in improvement of all infrastructure and activities to be more efficient and eco-friendly,” the notification said.

It said the Zonal Master Plan should focus on restoration of denuded areas, conservation of existing water bodies, management of catchment areas, watershed management, groundwater management, soil and moisture conservation, needs of local community and “such other aspects of the ecology and environment that need attention.”

In the notification, the MoEFCC told the UT administration that The Zonal Master Plan shall demarcate all the existing worshipping places, villages and urban settlements.

“It shall also demarcate types and kinds of forests, agricultural areas, fertile lands, green areas, such as, parks and like places, horticultural areas, orchards, lakes and other water bodies with supporting maps giving details of existing and proposed land use features.”

It said the Zonal Master Plan shall regulate development in Eco-sensitive Zone and “also ensure and promote eco-friendly development for security of local communities’ livelihood.” “The Zonal Master Plan shall be co-terminus with the Regional Development Plan,” it said.

Meanwhile, an official from the wildlife department said they have prepared the draft proposal for the formation of the Zonal Master Plan.

“For many animal, bird, and plant species, the Zonal Master Plan is a long-term conservation strategy. Many of the animals, birds, and plant species found in our UT have been classified as endangered. Therefore, numerous steps will be done through this Zonal Master Plan to conserve them while also growing their population in the aforementioned zones, he said.

—(KNO)