Omar Abdullah chairs Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority board meeting to review lake restoration initiatives

SRINAGAR, June 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chaired the 27th Board of Directors meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority at SKICC to review the progress of ongoing conservation initiatives and deliberate on policy, administrative, and infrastructure-related matters concerning the Dal, Nigeen, Khushalsar, and Gilsar lakes.

The Board reviewed the action taken on decisions from its previous meeting and assessed the progress of major conservation and restoration initiatives, including the Integrated Management Plan for the Dal-Nigeen lake ecosystem, the eco-development of lake hamlets, sewerage infrastructure expansion, lake cleaning operations, and other measures aimed at improving the ecological health of the water bodies.

Emphasizing that conservation requires sustained institutional coordination, scientific planning, and timely execution, the Chief Minister directed the concerned departments and the Authority to expedite ongoing projects while ensuring strict compliance with environmental safeguards and statutory procedures.

The meeting held detailed deliberations on agenda items relating to strengthening the Authority, modernizing sewerage management systems, conserving Khushalsar and Gilsar lakes, and enhancing institutional capacity. The Chief Minister directed that proposals requiring further examination be revised and resubmitted after incorporating observations made during the deliberations.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to preserving the fragile lake ecosystem, he stressed that conservation efforts must be guided by scientific assessment, environmental sustainability, and long-term public interest. He also called for regular monitoring of ongoing works and close inter-departmental coordination to ensure tangible improvements in the conservation and management of the lakes.

The meeting was attended by Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary Finance Shailendra Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Forests, Environment and Ecology Sheetal Nanda, Commissioner Secretary Housing and Urban Development Mandeep Kaur, and other senior officers.