Rajouri, October 05: Aimed at strengthening wildlife conservation efforts in Jammu & Kashmir, the Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment, Javed Ahmed Rana, today inaugurated the newly developed Carnivore Enclosure at the Shachera Conservation Reserve in Rajouri. 

The inauguration forms part of the ongoing Wildlife Week 2025 celebrations, being observed across Jammu & Kashmir from October 2 to 8, aimed at fostering awareness and action for the protection of J&K’s diverse ecological resources.

DDC Chairperson Naseen Liaqat Choudhary, legislators Javaid Iqbal Choudhary and Iftikhar Ahmed, along with Ch. Sain Abdul Rashid, Shafait Khan, Haji Jamshed and Advocate Qadir Khan were present on the occasion. 

Also in attendance were senior officers of the Forest Department including Chairman Polition Control Committee and Chief Wildlife Warden J&K, district officials and members of the local community, reflecting strong administrative and public support for wildlife conservation initiatives in the region.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister underscored the urgent need for a unified and collaborative approach to safeguarding the rich biodiversity of Jammu & Kashmir. 

He stressed that protecting JK’s natural heritage is not only a moral and environmental imperative but also essential for securing a sustainable and resilient future for generations to come.

Highlighting the role of community engagement, the Minister noted that conservation cannot succeed in isolation. He called for active involvement of local communities, particularly those living in and around forested areas, as key partners in safeguarding wildlife and natural habitats. 

Empowering these communities through sustainable livelihood options and inclusive development, he said, will foster a deeper sense of ownership and responsibility toward conservation efforts.

Rana expressed concern over growing threats such as encroachment, poaching and habitat degradation, and called for immediate, coordinated action to address these challenges. 

He emphasized the need to integrate robust forest protection measures with socio-economic development to ensure long-term conservation success.

The Minister also outlined a vision for adopting innovative strategies in the fields of afforestation, biodiversity conservation and human-wildlife conflict mitigation, all of which are increasingly pressing issues in the region. 

He called for the promotion of eco-tourism in a way that balances environmental sensitivity with sustainable economic development, ensuring that local communities benefit while ecological integrity is preserved.

A strong focus was laid on the adoption of modern technologies for forest surveillance, wildlife tracking, and habitat monitoring, which, he said, must be mainstreamed to enhance transparency, responsiveness and data-driven decision-making within the Forest Department.

Rana reiterated that environmental stewardship is a shared responsibility that must extend beyond departmental boundaries. 

He advocated for enhanced interdepartmental coordination, policy alignment, and greater collaboration between government agencies, civil society, and citizens to drive impactful and lasting conservation outcomes.

The inauguration of the Carnivore Enclosure marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to strengthen protected areas in Jammu & Kashmir and to improve habitat-specific facilities for the long-term wellbeing of endangered species.

According to a spokesperson from the Ministry of Forest, Ecology & Environment, Wildlife Week 2025 continues to serve as a vital platform to reaffirm J&K Government’s commitment to environmental conservation, public engagement and ecological resilience.

Mendhar, Oct 4: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana today laid the foundation stone for the construction of approach roads to the downstream bridge over the Mendhari Nallah.

The vital infrastructure project, sanctioned at a cost of ₹339.20 lakhs, will be executed by the Roads & Buildings (R&B) Department.

During the foundation-laying ceremony, Rana directed the Executive Engineer of the R&B department to ensure the project is completed within the stipulated timeline.

He stressed the importance of adhering to high quality standards and technical specifications, emphasizing that durable road infrastructure is essential for long-term public convenience and regional development.

Reaffirming Omar Abdullah Government’s commitment to enhancing road connectivity in remote and underserved areas, Rana noted that improved infrastructure is a key driver of socio-economic growth and accessibility in rural areas

Later, the Minister chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the overall developmental scenario in Mendhar Constituency.

Highlighting the crucial role of horticulture and agriculture in bolstering the rural economy, Rana called for increased outreach and awareness among farmers and the general public regarding various government schemes and welfare initiatives.

He directed the concerned departments to organize awareness camps, workshops and field demonstrations at the village level to ensure that information reaches the grassroots, enabling maximum public participation and benefit.

The Minister also held a detailed review of ongoing and proposed works under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and the Public Works Department (PWD).

He instructed officials to expedite the tendering process, monitor progress rigorously, and ensure timely completion of all infrastructure projects.

He also reviewed the status of road restoration efforts following recent landslides and directed the timely preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for new road projects under various schemes.

In the education sector, Rana called for swift implementation of developmental initiatives aimed at improving educational infrastructure, teaching standards and learning outcomes.

He emphasized the need for optimal utilization of existing human resources and integration of digital learning tools to enhance the quality of education, particularly in rural schools.

Addressing the healthcare situation, the Minister highlighted the importance of improving healthcare access and service delivery in underserved areas.

He directed health officials to undertake outreach programs to enhance community awareness and ensure equitable access to primary healthcare services.

The Minister underscored the importance of interdepartmental coordination, proactive governance and transparency in the execution of development works.

“The Government is committed to ensuring inclusive and holistic development that reaches every section of society, especially those in far-flung and rural areas,” Rana stated.

The meeting was attended by senior officers from Agriculture, Horticulture, Education, Health, Rural Development, PWD and PMGSY departments, along with field-level officers and representatives from various line departments.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday described the human mind as the “greatest miracle of life,” emphasizing that the future of Jammu and Kashmir’s development is directly connected with the empowerment and creativity of its youth.

Addressing a gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said, “Jammu and Kashmir ka vikas seedha yuva shakti ke saath juda hua hai. We have to build such an environment that can turn them into innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders of tomorrow.”

Highlighting the power of the human intellect, LG Sinha said that a child who learns simple calculations like addition, subtraction, and multiplication early in life develops sharper life skills and decision-making abilities. “These basic skills help young minds to think analytically and make quick, effective decisions,” he added.

The LG went on to cite a fascinating example from the tech world, referring to Google’s initiative to count books across libraries worldwide. “Google had started counting the books in libraries and found that there are nearly 13 crore unique books in the world.

The knowledge contained in these 13 crore books can fit into the brain of a human being,” he said, underlining the limitless potential of the human mind. “If any person learns to use his mind fully, the knowledge of the entire world can go into his brain,” LG Sinha said, adding, “Harnessing this mental potential can pave the way for innovation, wisdom, and progress.”

Calling upon the youth to think beyond boundaries and use their intellect for nation-building, LG Sinha said that empowering young minds with curiosity, knowledge, and discipline would determine the Union Territory’s march toward a prosperous future. (KNO)

The Economic Offences Wing (Crime Branch Kashmir) has registered a case in connection with the circulation of a forged selection list allegedly issued under the National Health Mission (NHM) JK.

The EOW said the case was registered after the State Nodal Officer, NHM J&K, reported that a fake order purportedly signed by the Mission Director was being widely circulated on social media, creating confusion among aspirants.

The fraudulent order, titled “Provisional Selection List of Candidates for Different Posts (Kashmir Division) against Notification No. SHS/NHM/J&K/HR/10259 dated 10.05.2021.

Following the complaint, a preliminary probe was initiated at Police Station Crime Branch Kashmir (now Economic Offences Wing).

During the investigation, it surfaced that during the COVID-19 pandemic, an NGO, J&K Health Care Services, was approved by the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir for providing voluntary manpower in various medical blocks of Kashmir to overcome the staff shortage.

“However, the management members of the said NGO, under a well-planned conspiracy, took undue advantage of this approval. They fraudulently approached volunteers, obtained their documents on the pretext of securing permanent engagement under NHM, and also collected money from them. Subsequently, they prepared a fake selection list by forging the signatures of the Mission Director, NHM J&K,” the EOW said.

The accused were identified as Abdul Qayoom Naik of Check Feroz Pora, Tangmarg Baramulla; Abdul Qayoom Khan of Harwan at present Ompora, Budgam; Mohammad Ashraf Hurrah of Saria Bala, Srinagar; Mushtaq Ahmad Sofi and Hilal Ahmad Bahar both residents of Shadipora, Sumbal, Bandipora

“Their acts prima facie disclose commission of offences punishable under sections 420, 468, 471, 120-B RPC read with Section 66-D of the IT Act. Accordingly, cognizance has been taken and a formal case has been registered,” the statement said. (Agencies)