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| Discrimination against Jammu waters No tears for shrinking Mansar Lake | | |
ARTEEV SHARMA
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Feb 2: While the volley of sops kept on pouring in for water bodies in Kashmir Valley, Jammu once again stood silent spectator to assimilate another tear of discrimination.
The Union Minister of State for Forest and Environment, Jairam Ramesh, who was on day-long visit to Jammu for celebrating World’s Wetland Day at Mansar Lake looked more eager to adhere to his obsession with Dal lake while announcing Rs 300 crore, with a passion to spend a total of Rs 1000 crore for its perseveration.
He went on saying, “Main Marne Se Pehle Dal Ko Saaf Dekhna Chahta Hoon (I want to see Dal Lake clean before I die)” without any mention about lakes situated in Jammu and Ladakh region.
Member of Parliament from Jammu-Poonch Parliamentary constituency, Madan Lal Sharma, who had demanded for Rs 100 crore together for Mansar, Surinsar and Ladakh lakes together during his address, looked hopelessly contended with just Rs 3 crore announced by the Minister.
The confounded MP, however, could not even dared for a revision of his demand for Rs 100 crore as Jairam Ramesh announced another Rs 350 crore for Wullar Lake in Kashmir Valley.
Intriguingly, the Union Minister, however, refused to comment over the general perception of discrimination among the people of Jammu and Ladakh and evaded the query, saying “Madan Lal Sharma would elaborate you in this regard.”
Earlier, Jairam Ramesh said that his Ministry is approving Rs 350 crore project for the protection and preservation of Wullar Lake in North Kashmir
The Union Minister said that he was keen to see the successful implementation of Dal Development Project adding that his Ministry is considering a comprehensive Plan of Rs. 1000 crore for the world famous Dal Lake.
“Money will be no constrained the sincere efforts by all levels are imperative to ensure successful implementation of projects aimed at restoration of water bodies and protection of forests,” he asserted.
He also suggested the state government for maintaining accountability and transparency while spending funds for preservation of water bodies and wetlands.
Ramesh announced that his ministry would prepare a Wetland Atlas for identifying more Wetlands in Jammu and Kashmir in next three months.
He also welcomed the High Court ruling over Sawalakote project.
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