SRINAGAR: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology, Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, on Saturday chaired a review meeting to assess preparedness measures for the ongoing summer season and the forthcoming monsoon in Jammu Division.
The meeting was convened to review progress on decisions taken during an earlier assessment of summer and monsoon preparedness, with a focus on ensuring uninterrupted drinking water supply, strengthening flood management systems and improving departmental response mechanisms.
During the meeting, the Minister reviewed the status of key initiatives aimed at addressing water availability challenges and enhancing infrastructure resilience. He stressed the need for proactive planning to mitigate the impact of rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns and increasing water demand.
Rana underlined the urgency of addressing declining groundwater levels and called for rainwater harvesting to be treated as a core component of water resource management in Jammu and Kashmir. He directed strict enforcement of provisions mandating rainwater harvesting systems in all newly constructed government buildings, stating that public institutions must lead by example in promoting water conservation.
Emphasising the need for a structured approach, the Minister called for a comprehensive roadmap to expand rainwater harvesting infrastructure and raise public awareness on sustainable water management practices.
He also directed officials to closely monitor groundwater levels across all districts in coordination with the Central Ground Water Board and ensure timely corrective action based on scientific assessments. He said data-driven planning was essential for long-term water security and effective resource management.
The Minister further instructed that all private water filling stations in Jammu Division register themselves with the concerned authorities within ten days to ensure regulation, quality control and accountability in water distribution, particularly during peak demand periods.
Rana directed officials to ensure immediate restoration of all repairable hand pumps and revival of defunct borewells across the division. He also called for identification and execution of flood protection measures, including construction of protective walls and other infrastructure safeguards to protect water supply systems from potential monsoon-related damage.
He reiterated the importance of timely execution of works, continuous monitoring and high-level preparedness to effectively address challenges related to water scarcity, heatwave conditions and flood risks during the monsoon season.
