J&K Forest Dept Revitalizes River Tawi with CAMPA Funds

J&K Forest Dept Revitalizes River Tawi with CAMPA Funds

Asif Iqbal | October 16, 2023 | 09:29 AM IST | Jammu Kashmir | Follow on Google News

J&K Forest Dept Revitalizes River Tawi with CAMPA Funds. Pic/respersentional

In a significant move to prevent further degradation of the catchment areas of River Tawi in Jammu and Udhampur Forest Divisions, the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department has unveiled a comprehensive plan for the rejuvenation of the river, funded under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management & Planning Authority (CAMPA).

Consulting the Experts: Assessing the Damage

As per details available with the Excelsior, the J&K Forest Department has reached out to the Soil and Water Conservation Department in Jammu to engage a consultancy firm. This firm will be tasked with identifying the biological and engineering solutions needed to address the damage sustained in the river’s catchment areas over the years, resulting from both natural and human-induced disasters.

The selected consultancy firm will conduct an in-depth study to assess the impact of these disasters on the river’s catchment areas in both the Udhampur and Jammu districts. Subsequently, they will prepare and submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Joint Director of the Soil and Water Conservation Department in Jammu, seeking the necessary funding for remedial measures aimed at restoring the river’s vitality.

A Step Toward Restoration: The Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) Plan

Abhijeet Joshi, Joint Director of the Soil and Water Conservation Department in Jammu, stated, “the Forest Divisions in Udhampur and Jammu districts have provided the State Forest Department with details of the extent of degradation in the river’s catchment areas. As a result, we have been directed by the Forest Department to engage a consultancy firm that will analyze the degradation’s impact and recommend both biological and engineering interventions as part of the Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) Plan, with the ultimate goal of restoring the river to its original state.”

Joshi outlined that the river’s catchment area treatment project will be executed by the expert consultancy firm within a timeline of 2-3 years, with an annual funding ceiling of Rs 5 crore allocated for the endeavor. However, he emphasized that the final project cost and duration might vary post the firm’s DPR preparation.

Funding Challenges and Ecological Priorities

“The project cost could potentially exceed the annual ceiling of Rs 5 crore, and the project duration could also be adjusted accordingly. The availability of funds will be a key determinant in finalizing the project’s timeline,” he added. “These details will be clarified once the DPR is finalized.

”Regarding the ways to carry out the rejuvenation work in the degraded catchment areas, Joshi explained, “our initial focus will be to ensure that no land in these areas remains exposed. To control runoff, we will strive to maximize vegetation in these regions. In cases where the fertile land has already eroded due to continuous runoff, we will consider implementing minor engineering interventions.”

“Prioritization of the areas, where the rejuvenation work will be taken up, will be determined post the DPR’s preparation.”

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.