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Category: ENVIRONMENT

Published: 02 April 2015

 

• Seeks people’s cooperation in eradicating encroachment menace to prevent future disasters

 

SRINAGAR:  Minister for Education, Mr. Naeem Akhtar has said that a comprehensive mechanism will be put in place to prevent flood-like situations in future. It will include both short and long term measures, he said. Addressing an officers meeting at Bandipora, after extensive tour of flood-affected areas of the district Bandipora, the Education Minister said the government is closely monitoring the situation caused by the incessant rains in the State and the administration has been geared up to take every possible measure to safeguard the life and property.

 

He said the concerned officers have been asked to remain stationed in their respective areas and ensure round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and provide requisite assistance to the people. “The area of priority concern for the government is dewatering of the inundated areas,” Mr Akhtar said and added that although rains are not new to Kashmir, the scare is understandable in the wake of the devastating floods that hit the Valley September last.

 

Seeking people’s cooperation to prevent future disasters in the aftermath of rains, Mr Akhtar said while the administration should ensure that no encroachments and illegal constructions area allowed in river beds, flood basins and embankments of Nallahs, the public should also be sensitized not to resort to any such activity which would, God forbid, lead to any tragedy in the aftermath of rains and flash-floods.

 

The Minister said that a Flood Recovery and Reconstruction plan would be put in place to stop further development in floodways, lessen future flood damage in flood prone areas and ensure no constructions take place in flood hazard areas. Referring to the education sector, the Minister said that despite being one of the intellectually most fertile areas in the State, Bandipora today presents a dismal scenario in academics. He said it would be a personal challenge for him to revive the traditional intellectual glory of district Bandipora by infusing new life into the academics.  The Minister was accompanied by MLC, Mr Yasir Reshi.