Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chairs seventh Wildlife Board meeting to discuss conservation and infrastructure

SRINAGAR, MAY 4: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired the seventh meeting of the Wildlife Board for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir at Lok Bhavan today.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment Javed Ahmed Rana, members of the Legislative Assembly Devinder Kumar Manyal and Mian Mehar Ali, and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, alongside prominent conservationists and representatives from the Army and non-governmental organizations.

During the session, the board discussed critical issues regarding the protection of natural resources and evaluated various development proposals situated within protected ecological zones.

A significant outcome of the meeting was the approval for the construction of the Asha–Cheema–Gurdaligali–Aphrawat–Sarson–Anita Road located within the Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary in Baramulla.

This proposal will now be forwarded to the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife for final clearance. The Lieutenant Governor highlighted the essential need to balance the region’s developmental requirements with ecological sustainability, urging officials to strengthen the unique biodiversity of the Union Territory.

The board was also briefed on ongoing initiatives by the Forest Department aimed at the long-term preservation of wildlife habitats across Jammu and Kashmir.