Srinagar, June 25 (IANS) J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that the conservation of the UT’s lakes requires sustained institutional coordination, scientific planning, and timely execution.

He made the remarks as he chaired the 27th Board of Directors meeting of the Jammu & Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) at the 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 meeting was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Shailendra Kumar, Commissioner and Secretary, Forests, Environment, and Ecology Sheetal Nanda, Commissioner and Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Mandeep Kaur and other senior officers.

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

Emphasising that conservation of Jammu and Kashmir’s lakes requires sustained institutional coordination, scientific planning and timely execution, the Chief Minister directed the departments concerned 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, modernisation of sewerage management systems, conservation of Khushalsar and Gilsar lakes, and enhancement of institutional capacity.

The Chief Minister directed that proposals requiring further examination and refinement be revised and resubmitted after incorporating the 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.

Omar Abdullah also called for regular monitoring of ongoing works and close inter-departmental coordination to ensure tangible improvements in the conservation and management of Jammu and Kashmir’s lakes.

–IANS

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