Soil, Water Conservation Gains Traction

Admin On Track to Realize 'Vision 2030'

Srinagar: The prolonged dry spell during this winter, Kashmir valley grappled with far-reaching consequences in different water dependent sectors including agriculture and electricity. This promoted both the locals and authorities to reflect on the necessity for a resilient mechanism to tackle future water crisis.

Significantly, the Union Territory grapples with a significant issue of soil erosion primarily stemming from its hilly terrain, undulating topography, delicate ecosystem, climatic conditions, and the depletion of vegetal cover caused by excessive grazing, lopping, unauthorized felling, and encroachments.

The situation of land degradation is exacerbated by events such as landslides, earthquakes, and various development activities, including road constructions, railway lines, and the establishment of hydroelectric projects. Maintaining a robust vegetal cover in catchments is imperative for the sustained and effective operation of hydroelectric projects in the long term.

Notably, the recent snowfall prompted the SrinagarJammu national highway to remain shut for about 40 hours due to landslides at several places.

The government sensed the multi-dimensional loss due to soil erosion resulting in decrease of agricultural/horticultural production, power production due to siltation of dams and reservoirs, sedimentation of lakes and other water bodies having scenic beauty and tourism potential, flash floods, degradation of forest soil, frequent disruption of communication system etc.

To address such issues, the former state