#azadikaamrutmahotsav
*Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Visits Bandipora, interacts with PRIs and youth*
_Stresses on Wular Conservation, Exploring Tourism Potential to bring Bandipora on International Tourism Map_
Bandipora, October 08: Union Minister of Environment , Forest and Climate Change and labour and employment Bhupender Yadav on Friday visited Bandipora district as part of the Union Governments ongoing Public outreach programme.
The minister inspected the restoration and conservation works, e- inaugurated and laid foundation of several developmental projects besides meeting public delegations.
He was accompanied by Secretary MOEF&CC GoI Rameshwar Prassad Gupta, District Development Council Chairman Abdul Gani Bhat, Additional Secretary MOEF_CC Ravi Agarwal, Commissioner Secretary Sanjeev Verma, PCCF Dr Mohit Giri, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Dr Owais Ahmad, Additional District Development Commissioner Ali Afsar Khan, Additional Deputy Commissioner Zahoor Ahmad Mir, Joint Director Planning Imtiyaz Ahmad.
The minister later laid foundation stone of Public Park at Hilalabad Nesbal in Sumbal to be constructed at the cost of Rs 3.00 cr.
He also inaugurated Filtration Plant at Arampora Bandipora that has been constructed at the cost of Rs 1.53 Cr and to benefit a population of about seventy nine thousand souls.
Mr Yadav also inaugurated Development of Rural Road Connectivity by way of roads, tile paths and culverts in Bandipora district at the cost of Rs 2.62 Cr under Back to Village Programme, MGNREGA and 14th FC.
Earlier Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Dr Owais Ahmad gave a brief Power Point Production highlighting the developmental activities in the district including mega wullar Conservation Project.
The minister reviewed the status of the works being executed in the wullar with physical and financial achievements, progress of dredging and development of tourism infrastructure around wullar.
Mr Yadav said that the Wullar lake has a huge potential for tourism besides a biggest fish production source and if exploited, it can change the socio economic condition of the local population.
DC Bandipora informed the Minister that the works under the Wullar conservation project has been taken up on large scale after the government sanctioned the Wular Action Plan of Rs 200 crore for conservation and management of the lake. He also informed about the nature of catchment, conservation works, bio-diversity conservation and development of eco-tourism, besides construction of Boulevard road and other tourist attractions.
The Minister appreciated the efforts put in by the UT government and the district administration to conserve the lake and uplift the tourism sector in the district and urged the officers to work with extra zeal so as to bring the wullar lake on international tourist map.
On the occasion a short video regarding wullar and ongoing projects of the lake along with the components on which WUCMA is working was also screened.
Later minister participated in the Cleanliness Drive and inaugurated the wullar cleanliness drive launched as part of the "Azadi Ka Amrit Mohatsov" and participated in the pledge taking ceremony for "Wullar Mitras" who pledged to protect water bodies, wetlands and ensuring proper disposal of solid and liquid waste. Prime Minister's message regarding celebration of Wildlife week was also read out during the programme.
On the occasion different stalls were erected by various departments at Wullar vintage park showcasing their performance and ongoing ongoing activities. Minister inspected all the stalls and interacted with the staff and the visitors at these stalls.
A cultural programme was also presented during the programme by school children. A Skit highlighting forest conservation was also presented by school children besides patriotic songs that enthralled the audience.
The minister felicitated students and volunteers including Mohammad Rafiq Wani for cleanliness of water bodies, Mubashir Javeed for plantation drives, Suhail Tariq Dar rescuer and expert of motor boat shakara and besides Manzoor Ahmad, an employee for working tirelessly during covid mitigation efforts.
Mr Yadav also released a booklet "Pictorial guide to Birds of Wular" that shall help the tourists to know about the migratory birds present in the lake besides other related information.
Minister also distributed solar lights among locals living along Wular lake, School kits and inclusive Educational Kits among Orphans.
Later several delegations called on the minister and apprised him about various public issues and sought his intervention to resolve the issues.
The delegations include chairman DDC Abdul Gani, members of District Development Council including Dr Ghulam Mustafa Khan and others, BDC Chairpersons, Sarpanchs and other PRI members.
The delegations raised several demands including beautification of Wular lake, rehabilitation of people living in low lying areas, upgradation of Forest Training Institute Chiternar, implementation of FRA to benefit migrant population, providing of free timber to fishermen community for boats, development of Zainalank Island in Wular , enhancement of assistance for construction of Houses to fishermen community, construction of tourist huts, permission/ forest clearance for construction of Bandipora -Lolab road and macdamisation of Koota Satri road, compensation to victims of man-animal conflict, establishment of Solid waste Management plant in Bandipora.
Minister gave patient hearing to all delegation and individuals and assured them positive response from the government with regard to the redressal of their grievances.
Sharing the vision of the Prime Minister, Bhupender Yadav said the “Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas” slogan by the Prime Minister is not merely a slogan but a mission that will ensure the paradigm shift in the socio economic condition of weaker sections of society. He said the special hand-holding of the under-privileged communities will help in making the lives of the people better.
He said that the PM wants his ministers to assess on-ground situation,take feedback from the public and stresses to ensure that the people’s lives are made comfortable and positive change is brought in.