JAMMU OCT 05:-The Jammu and Kashmir Border Area Development Conference (JKBADC), a registered organization working for the welfare of border residents and tribal communities of J&K, led by Dr. Shazad Ahmed Malik, former Vice Chancellor has urged the government of J&K and the Union Government to start an Advance Winter Stocking (AWS) system for remote and hilly border areas, following the successful model in Ladakh.
This system has been widely praised for ensuring essential supplies reach isolated communities on time.
Every winter, many remote villages in districts like Rajouri, Poonch, Kupwara, and Bandipora remain cut off for months due to heavy snowfall. Residents are left without power, gas, fuel, fodder, medicines, and road access, facing severe hardship in daily life.
JKBADC stated that stocking ration and other essential supplies before winter is the only way to help people survive and avoid critical shortages.
Dr Shazad highlighted the need for limited helicopter support for medical emergencies, while stressing that the main requirement is a proper stocking system of essential items.
He said, Local storage points and depots should be ready in advance so that no village is left without assistance during winter, especially families with children, elderly people, and those with medical conditions.
The BADC Chairman emphasized that the AWS system in Ladakh must be replicated for border and mountainous areas of Jammu and Kashmir. He added that frontline residents must receive timely supplies before winter.
Dr Shazad also stated that victims of border shelling and those affected by monsoon rains should be provided compensation and proper shelter before the winter season to ensure they can face harsh conditions safely.
It is important to note that the government ensures pre-stocking of food, medicines, and fuel in Ladakh every year before winter. JKBADC has urged that the same system be applied to all remote, hilly, and border areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
RAJOURI OCT 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.
