Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Manzoor Ahmad Qadri who is also Chairman District Wetland Management Units, on Tuesday convened a comprehensive meeting to discuss the strategy for demarcating wetland sites across the district.
On the occasion, the DC stressed on the verification of wetland sites, addressing challenges, and ensuring the effective implementation of the demarcation process. During the meeting, it was revealed that there are 102 wetlands in the district, out of which four sites have an area of less than 2.5 hectares and will be removed from the list.
The remaining 98 sites, with areas above 2.5 hectares, will proceed with the demarcation process. During the meeting, it was finalized that demarcation on wetlands under forest land will be managed by the Forest Department under the supervision of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Bandipora.
He will verify these sites, compare them with satellite images, and submit a report. During the meeting, it was also highlighted that some wetland sites fall under other districts, which requires revision and rectification.
While reviewing the list of wetland sites, the DC directed the Pollution Control Board to send a list of wetland sites to the concerned Tehsildars, who will verify the sites based on satellite data.
Further, four teams, including representatives from Irrigation, Fisheries, Agriculture, and Water Conservation departments, will be formed to carry out the demarcation in areas outside the forest and will be led by Tehsildars from Bandipora, Sumbal, Ajas, Hajin, and Gurez.
It was decided that for forest sites, a dedicated forest team will be constituted to manage the demarcation process. Deputy Commissioner urged all concerned officers to work diligently towards the demarcation of wetland sites and achieve the set targets.
The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Zaffar Husson Shawl; Assistant Commissioner Revenue Bandipora, Shabir Ahmad wani ; SDM Sumbal, Murtaza Ahmad; District Officer Pollution Control Committee Irshad Ahmad ; Tehsildar Bandipora Firdous Ahmad Qadri, and other concerned officials from various departments.