Srinagar, Jul 31: The Centre has clarified that reports suggesting hundreds of lakes and wetlands in Jammu and Kashmir have disappeared are based on preliminary satellite imagery and should not be construed as conclusive evidence, informing Parliament that a comprehensive reassessment has revised the J&K’s inventory to 1793 wetlands and water bodies.

The clarification came in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister for Jal Shakti C R Patil, amid concerns over shrinking and vanishing lakes across the country and references to an earlier Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report which had stated that 518 out of 697 lakes in J&K had either disappeared or reduced in size.

Responding to the concerns, the Ministry said the CAG observations were derived from an inventory prepared by the Department of Environment and Remote Sensing, Jammu and Kashmir, using LISS-III satellite imagery with an approximate spatial resolution of 23 metres.

Such datasets, it said, provide only preliminary technical information for researchers and administrators and cannot, by themselves, establish permanent disappearance, shrinkage, encroachment or unlawful conversion of wetlands.

The ministry said remote sensing imagery reflects changes in water spread or land cover but must be corroborated with land records, cadastral maps, notified wetland boundaries, field inspections and official records before any definitive conclusion can be drawn regarding the status of a wetland.

It informed the Parliament that the J&K government subsequently undertook a comprehensive revision and expansion of the wetland inventory using very high-resolution satellite imagery, grid-based analysis, jurisdictional refinement and extensive field verification.

The exercise resulted in an updated inventory of 1793 wetlands and water bodies, replacing the earlier database relied upon in the audit observations.

According to the revised inventory, 1499 wetlands are below one hectare or classified as additional wetland-like features, while 294 wetlands exceeding one hectare have been identified across J&K.

Of the larger wetlands, 113 fall within forest areas, 54 inside protected areas, three under the Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) and Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA), while 124 are located outside forest jurisdictions.

The ministry reiterated that water is a State subject, and that the protection, conservation, and management of wetlands are primarily the responsibility of state governments and Union Territory administrations.

The Centre, it said, supplements these efforts through policy support, financial assistance and centrally sponsored programmes.

It also highlighted the First Census of Water Bodies conducted across 33 states and Union Territories to create a national database containing details on the size, condition, storage capacity, encroachment status and utilisation of water bodies.

Listing the major initiatives taken by the Centre, the ministry said the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017 prohibit encroachment, conversion of wetlands for non-wetland uses, dumping of solid waste, discharge of untreated sewage and industrial effluents, and permanent construction within notified wetlands.

It said that all states and Union Territories have constituted Wetland Authorities to oversee conservation and management.

The ministry said that under the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA), the Centre has provided approximately Rs 1170 crore as its share for conservation and restoration of around 172 wetlands across the country.  The programme supports wastewater treatment, shoreline protection, desiltation, stormwater management, catchment treatment, biodiversity conservation, bio-fencing, weed control and community participation.

Other national initiatives highlighted in the reply include implementation of the Ramsar Convention, the Save Wetlands Campaign, Mission Sahbhagita, the Amrit Dharohar initiative, and the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari programme aimed at improving groundwater recharge and rainwater harvesting through community participation.

For J&K specifically, the government said the UT has established a Wetland Authority chaired by the Chief Secretary and district-level wetland management units to coordinate conservation efforts. Management of Wular Lake, Dal and Nigeen lakes, and Manasbal Lake is being carried out through dedicated authorities, while ecologically important wetlands such as Hokersar, Haigam, Shallabugh, Surinsar-Mansar, and Gharana are protected by the Wildlife Protection Department.

The Centre said that conservation measures in J&K include periodic wetland mapping and monitoring using remote sensing backed by field verification, preparation of site-specific management plans, selective desiltation and de-weeding, restoration of natural streams, anti-encroachment drives, scientific solid waste disposal, maintenance of ecological water levels and annual biodiversity and waterbird population assessments to preserve the ecological integrity of wetlands.

Srinagar, Jul 31: With the harvesting of early apple varieties gaining momentum, Kashmir’s horticulture sector has voiced growing concern over repeated disruptions on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, urging the administration to ensure uninterrupted movement of fruit-laden trucks to markets across the country.

Growers and traders said recurring traffic interruptions caused by landslides, flash floods, shooting stones, road maintenance, and restrictions associated with the ongoing Amarnath Yatra have begun affecting the transportation of fresh produce, raising fears of financial losses during the crucial marketing season.

Kashmir’s apple industry, which supports lakhs of families and contributes close to Rs 12,000 crore annually to J&K’s economy, depends almost entirely on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway for transporting fruit to wholesale markets in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and other parts of the country.

Stakeholders said any delay on the highway directly affects the quality and market value of the produce, particularly early-season varieties like Gala apples and plums, which have a relatively short shelf life.

President of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Union, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, said growers were anxious as fruit dispatches had coincided with weather-related disruptions and traffic regulation on the highway.

“We appeal to the administration to treat fruit-laden trucks as a priority. Perishable produce cannot remain stranded for long, and every delay translates into losses for growers. We also hope the authorities will restore traffic quickly whenever the highway is affected by adverse weather,” he said.

Basheer said transporters have also been affected by traffic management measures in place during the annual Amarnath Yatra. Acknowledging the importance of the yatra, he appealed to the authorities to devise a mechanism that allows fruit trucks to move without prolonged waiting periods.

“The harvesting of Gala apples and plums has already begun, and buyers from outside J&K expect timely deliveries. We have started receiving complaints about delayed consignments. This can affect both our reputation and the prices growers receive,” he said.

According to the union, nearly 100 to 120 trucks loaded with fruit leave Kashmir every day during the present harvesting phase. Growers believe this volume can be managed efficiently if dedicated time slots or priority movement are provided for vehicles carrying perishable goods.

Although the administration has advised transporters to use the Mughal Road whenever the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway faces disruption, traders said the alternative route is not suitable for large-scale fruit transportation.

Javed Ahmad, a fruit trader from Sopore, said infrastructure limitations make the road an impractical option for most transporters.

“The Mughal Road is still not equipped to handle the majority of trucks used for transporting apples. Most consignments move in 12-tyre and 16-tyre trucks, whereas the alternative route is better suited for smaller vehicles. Transporters are therefore reluctant to take that route,” he said.

Traders also pointed out that repeated traffic restrictions during the harvest season create uncertainty in the supply chain.

They said while temporary closures for emergency repairs may sometimes be unavoidable, advance planning and better coordination could minimise disruption to the horticulture sector.

The issue has also drawn the attention of political leaders, who have urged the administration to strike a balance between facilitating the Amarnath Yatra, undertaking highway maintenance and protecting the interests of the Valley’s horticulture industry.

Growers have called for the creation of a dedicated corridor or priority passage for fruit-laden trucks until the harvesting season concludes.

They also sought better coordination between traffic authorities, highway agencies, and district administrations to provide real-time updates on road conditions so that transporters can plan their journeys accordingly.

Srinagar, Jul 31: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, on Friday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Kulgam district in which a labourer from Chhattisgarh was killed and another was injured.

Describing the attack as a “cowardly and barbaric act”, Sharma said targeting innocent civilians and labourers was an assault on humanity and an attempt to disturb peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir.

“I strongly condemn this heinous terrorist attack. Such acts of violence have no place in a civilised society and those responsible must be brought to justice at the earliest,” he said.

Expressing his condolences to the bereaved family, Sharma prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and wished a speedy recovery to the injured labourer.

He urged the security forces to intensify anti-terror operations and ensure that the perpetrators are identified and punished. Sharma also appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to remain united against terrorism and not allow such incidents to disrupt communal harmony and peace.

“The entire nation stands with the victim’s family in this hour of grief. I have full confidence that our security forces will take decisive action against those behind this dastardly attack,” Sharma said.