Srinagar, Apr 1: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG), in association with SKAL International Kashmir and Government Boys Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Beerwah, organised a mega plantation drive titled “Planting Today, Sustaining Tomorrow” atop a partly barren hill in Rathsun area in Budgam district.

The drive was led by EPG Convenor Faiz Bakshi and witnessed active participation from Zahoor Qari, President of SKAL International Kashmir, and Sarwar Bukhari, Principal of GHSS Beerwah.

As part of the initiative, around 1,100 conifer saplings—including pine, fir, and other species suitable for hilly terrain—were planted to restore the ecological balance of the area. The plantation site, spread over more than 1,800 kanals, has previously seen similar efforts. Notably, senior journalist Rifat Abdullah had planted a significant number of conifers in the region a few years ago, many of which have now grown and contributed to greening parts of the landscape.

Speaking on the occasion, Faiz Bakshi emphasised the urgent need for large-scale plantation drives across Jammu & Kashmir to counter the adverse impacts of climate change and global warming. He warned that environmental degradation is increasingly posing serious risks to ecosystems and living beings across the region.

In addition to the plantation activity, EPG, SKAL, and GHSS Beerwa also conducted a cleanliness drive, during which a substantial quantity of garbage scattered across the hill was collected. Participants also engaged with local residents, urging them to maintain cleanliness and protect the environment.

The event saw participation from several members of EPG, including GCC member Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, along with faculty and students of GHSS Beerwa and SKAL members such as Ather Yamin, Faisal Shahjee, Anjum Dawood, Burhan Misger, Rahil Bashir, Abrar Qadir, Irfan, Mir Azhar, and Muzamil.

The organisers reiterated their commitment to continue such initiatives, with Faiz Bakshi announcing that the Environmental Policy Group will undertake more plantation drives across the region in the coming days in collaboration with partner organizations.

Srinagar, Apr 1: To ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY) 2026, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Wednesday chaired a comprehensive review meeting with senior officers to assess preparedness and finalize arrangements for the pilgrimage to the Holy Cave.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag, Budgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora, and Srinagar along with the Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation and senior officials from multiple departments, including ULB, FCS&CA, RTC, RTO, Rural Sanitation, SASB, KPDCL, R&B, PHE, I&F, AYUSH, BEACON, Animal Husbandry, Labour, Health, Information, Fire & Emergency Services, IMD, Tourism, SDA, PDA, Forests, Wildlife, SDRF, district SSPs, ITBP, NHIDCL, and NHAI. Representatives from service providers including G-Max, Jio, Airtel, and BSNL also participated.

During the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner reviewed departmental proposals under Revenue and Capital Expenditure (Capex) heads. He also assessed the status of works to be executed by BEACON, including snow clearance, repairs, and track widening along the Pahalgam route. Emphasizing timely infrastructure readiness, he directed the Roads & Buildings (R&B) Department to expedite macadamization of roads around Yatra base camps, development of parking facilities and pony stands, and ensure restoration of helipads. With regard to tentages along the Pahalgam and Baltal axes, the Divisional Commissioner stressed the importance of quality, safety, and aesthetics. He instructed that tents must be installed only in secure, non-vulnerable areas. To strengthen disaster preparedness, he directed the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag to coordinate resource pooling and conduct detailed assessments of flood-prone zones, ensuring safe placement of camps and regulated movement of pilgrims.

The Divisional Commissioner also reviewed the capacity and amenities at base camps, directing departments to maintain adequate fire safety measures, including designated fire gaps between tents and deployment of fire tenders and personnel. He underscored the need for robust sanitation arrangements at camps and along the Yatra routes, tasking the concerned departments with ensuring cleanliness throughout the pilgrimage.

On registration, he instructed that all processes for yatris and service providers be completed well in advance of the Yatra’s commencement. Further, he reviewed healthcare facilities along both routes and called for increased deployment of ambulances. Directions were also issued regarding accommodation for security personnel, provision of RTC buses for pilgrim transportation, installation of public address systems and signage, dissemination of timely weather updates, and strengthening of disaster management mechanisms. Telecom service providers were instructed to ensure seamless network coverage across all routes and camps, enabling effective communication and facilitating RFID-based tracking systems.

Srinagar, Apr 01: To ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra (SANJY) 2026, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Wednesday chaired a comprehensive review meeting with senior officers to assess preparedness and finalize arrangements for the pilgrimage to the Holy Cave.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag, Budgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora, and Srinagar along with the Commissioner Srinagar Municipal Corporation and senior officials from multiple departments, including ULB, FCS&CA, RTC, RTO, Rural Sanitation, SASB, KPDCL, R&B, PHE, I&F, AYUSH, BEACON, Animal Husbandry, Labour, Health, Information, Fire & Emergency Services, IMD, Tourism, SDA, PDA, Forests, Wildlife, SDRF, district SSPs, ITBP, NHIDCL, and NHAI. Representatives from  service providers including G-Max, Jio, Airtel, and BSNL also participated.

During the meeting, the Divisional Commissioner reviewed departmental proposals under Revenue and Capital Expenditure (Capex) heads. He also assessed the status of  works ti be executed by BEACON, including snow clearance, repairs, and track widening along the Pahalgam route.

Emphasizing timely infrastructure readiness, he directed the Roads & Buildings (R&B) Department to expedite macadamization of roads around Yatra base camps, development of  parking facilities and pony stands, and ensure restoration of helipads.

With regard to tentages  along the Pahalgam and Baltal axes, the Divisional Commissioner stressed the importance of quality, safety, and aesthetics. He instructed that tents must be installed only in secure, non-vulnerable areas.

To strengthen disaster preparedness, he directed the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag to coordinate resource pooling and conduct detailed assessments of flood-prone zones, ensuring safe placement of camps and regulated movement of pilgrims.

The Divisional Commissioner also reviewed the capacity and amenities at base camps, directing departments to maintain adequate fire safety measures, including designated fire gaps between tents and deployment of fire tenders and personnel. He underscored the need for robust sanitation arrangements at camps and along the Yatra routes, tasking the concerned departments with ensuring cleanliness throughout the pilgrimage.

On registration, he instructed that all processes for yatris and service providers be completed well in advance of the Yatra’s commencement.

Further, he reviewed healthcare facilities along both routes and called for increased deployment of ambulances. Directions were also issued regarding accommodation for security personnel, provision of RTC buses for pilgrim transportation, installation of public address systems and signage, dissemination of timely weather updates, and strengthening of disaster management mechanisms.

Telecom service providers were instructed to ensure seamless network coverage across all routes and camps, enabling effective communication and facilitating RFID-based tracking systems.