MENDHAR: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today visited Kalaban Village of Mendhar sub-division of Poonch district and took stock of damages due to landslide and land sinking incidents in the area.
The Minister was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Ashok Kumar Sharma, along with other senior officers of the district and sub-divisional administration.
During the visit, the Minister conducted detailed assessment of the situation and interacted with the affected families to understand the gravity of the losses suffered.
Expressing deep concern over the unprecedented damage, Rana emphasized the urgency of providing immediate support and relief to the affected population. He issued firm directives to the district administration to initiate prompt rehabilitation measures for all the displaced families.
He instructed that all essential facilities like temporary accommodation, food, clean water and healthcare be extended to the victims without any delay.
The Minister also directed the administration to conduct swift and comprehensive assessment of the losses incurred, so that timely compensation can be provided to the affected families under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
The Minister, during the visit, was informed that the calamity has caused complete destruction of more than 25 residential houses and government institutions, while several others have been severely damaged, leaving dozens of families displaced.
Acknowledging the fact that the affected land has become uninhabitable due to continued soil instability, the Minister underscored the need to explore immediate and viable plans for the permanent relocation of the families to safer zones.
He assured the local population that the Government stands firmly with them in this hour of need and all possible support will be extended for their rehabilitation and restoration of livelihood.
In addition to relief and rehabilitation efforts, Rana also directed the Forest Department to undertake urgent soil conservation measures in the affected areas.
He emphasized the importance of initiating extensive plantation drives to restore ecological balance and mitigate further degradation of the land.
Recognizing the long-term threat posed by recurrent landslides and land sinking in the area, the Minister instructed the Flood Control Department to prepare a comprehensive Detailed Project Report (DPR) aimed at developing effective mitigation strategies. He asked them that the proposed DPR should focus on structural and non-structural measures to prevent future incidents and to ensure the long-term safety and stability of Kalaban Village and its surrounding areas.
The Minister reaffirmed Omar Abdullah Government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable communities and promoting sustainable environmental practices, while ensuring timely and effective disaster response mechanisms are in place across regions.
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