Master plan needed to protect environment: J&K Governor

A file picture of Jammu and Kashmir Governor N. N. Vohra with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Photo: PTI

Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra on Wednesday underlined the need for a master plan to preserve the “fragile ecosystem” of the state.

“Time has come to protect the environment by way of having a full-fledged master plan in hand for the whole state from Ladakh downwards,” Mr. Vohra said addressing delegates and officials at the valedictory function of an international workshop on climate change at the University of Kashmir here.

Mr. Vohra, who is also chancellor of the university, said “In Jammu and Kashmir we have a very fragile ecosystem. We need to preserve the environment“.

The three-day workshop titled ‘Climate Change, Glacial Retreat and Livelihoods’ was organised by the University of Kashmir, State Forest Research Institute (SFRI) and The Energy Research Institute (TERI).

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who was also present on the occasion, said there was need to sensitize the civil society about the consequences of climate change.

“The issue of climate change is something that is visible to us. If we wake up to the issue today, we may be able to salvage something for posterity,” said Mr. Omar, who is also the university pro-chancellor, said.

Minister of Forests Mian Altaf Ahmad, Registrar of Kashmir University S Fayyaz Ahmad and senior fellow at TERI Prof S I Hasnain also attended the workshop among others.