Govt To Adapt
valley since 2017 when the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) first launched the scheme,” he said, adding that there is a dire need for the implementation of a crop insurance scheme due to annual crop damage caused by hailstorms and other adverse weather conditions.
The growers’ and dealers’ union also highlighted the burden of an 18% GST on insecticides, pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers and cardboard materials, saying this raises the production cost of fresh fruits. They requested a reduction in the GST rate on these items to alleviate the financial strain on the horticulture industry.
They also called for the treatment of Tree Spray Oil as an agricultural product, consideration for the establishment of a separate Horticulture Estate similar to Industrial Estates in J&K (UT), and the provision of funds in the Central/State Budget Estimates for the establishment of CA/ cold stores, canning factories, juice plants and other allied facilities for the benefit of valleybased fruit growers and dealers.
The union also sought subsidies on insecticides, pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers, cardboard cartons, plastic trays, baskets, waste papers and the availability of high-density plant material for the rejuvenation of fruit orchards. to ecological requirements.
He said they are trying to rope-in some NonGovernmental Organization (NGOs) who have expertise in solid waste management.
“Infact we had a meeting with SEEDS (Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society) foundation and we sought a proposal that will be discussed with other stakeholders,” he added.
Mir added that they will tie-up with any entrepreneur for the waste recycling.
In 2022, the union territory government sanctioned a Solid Waste Management (SWM) plant at a cost of Rs 6.00 crores to Bandipora district.
The authorities have started a massive dewedding process in the lake and the work is executed by the irrigation and flood control department.
The government is also constructing an ecofriendly walkway to boost the ecotourism potential of the lake. The walkway has a length of 2.5 Km which will be completed by December 2024. The work is being executed by the R & B department of Jammu and Kashmir.
The official revealed that the project includes a tiled pathway, a cycle track, green recreational areas, and two parking lots, all at a designated cost of Rs. 18.76 crore. The walkway, once completed, will offer stunning views of the Wular Lake.
Mir said that the government is keen to boost tourism in the area to enhance tourism in the region, with a particular emphasis on generating livelihood opportunities for the residents.
In 2022, the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh directed the government to file an Action Taken Report (ATR) regarding the latest position of lake conservation manners taken by said Authority to conserve the lake.
In response to the submission, the government submitted the latest progress with regards to encroachment status and lake conservation and management action programme.
They informed the court that all efforts are made to retrieve the balance encroachments from Lake in which officials of Revenue, Forest & WUCMA departments are working with synergy to remove encroachments from the lake.
They said that the water holding capacity through the Wular Action Plan of Lake is likely to be completed in 2022–23 at a cost of Rs. 200 Crore.
An official from the WUCMA said that the project is still going on and all the work will be completed in the coming years.