Department of Soil and Water Conservation was created/ Established in 1978 to conserve soil and later on in the year 2014 the Soil Conservation Department was renamed as Soil & Water Conservation Department by adding the mandate of Water conservation to create awareness among the stakeholders for posterity
There is tremendous pressure on the soil and water resources of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir with soil erosion as the major problem due to hilly terrain, undulating topography, fragile ecosystem and climatic conditions, i.e., heavy snowfall in upper reaches, erratic rains and snow in the middle reaches and heavy monsoons in Jammu plains, which is further aggravated with the construction of Hydroelectric Projects, roads, railways and other developmental activities.
- Envisage the vision of conserving soil and water for sustainable management of forests and agricultural resources.
- Save water bodies from siltation and degeneration.
MANDATE OF THE DEPARTMENT:
The mandate of the department involves research, demonstration, formulation of soil and water conservation schemes, monitoring, evaluation and coordination of soil and water conservation activities of various departments like Forest, Agriculture, Irrigation, etc.
OBJECTIVES:-
- To take up appropriate water conservation measures in and outside forest area, impounding of water wherever sites permit to increase ground water recharge and prevent floods.
- To estimate soil carbon tapped in the forests as well as non-forest land and take suitable measures to ensure retention of the carbon in the soil and increase it further.
- To create data base on soil and water conservation and conduct need based research to develop appropriate site specific models and techniques.
- To provide technical guidance for preparation of schemes on scientific basis for other line departments and implement catchment area treatment projects, wherever required.
- To coordinate with the institutions and departments working on water conservation in the UT as well as outside including Govt. of India for capacity building to act as nodal agency in the UT on water conservation.
- To create awareness about soil and water conservation by adopting suitable communication strategy and extension measures.
WHAT WE DO:
- Preventive soil conservation measures.
Site specific treatment through vegetative and engineering works like DRSM, crate works, brush wood check dams, crib structures, etc. to conserve the valuable soil and increase water regime of the area viz-a-viz the productivity. - Afforestation
The Department undertakes Afforestation activities in areas which are degraded for the purpose of rehabilitation as well as providing usufructs like; grasses, firewood, small timber, MFP and other intangible benefits.
The Department also venture out for the following activities on the specific demands of the public or as per the commitment of the Government:-
- Construction of Water harvesting structures for conservation of water.
- Up-gradation/Restoration of Water bodies.
- Sisal Propagation in highly degraded kandi belt of Jammu region for stabilization of land slips and fiber production.
- Construction of drains for treatment of water logged areas / for safe disposal of run-off from upper catchments.
- Treatment of Catchment Areas of the Hydro Electric Projects.
- To create educational awareness among the masses regarding the need and importance of soil & water Conservation by way of organizing camps, meetings, symposiums, seminars, tours as well as provide technical know-how.
HOW WE DO:
- Identify the problematic areas by way of conducting survey, interaction and meeting with the people.
- Prepare the schemes/micro-plans and take up the works under UT CAPEX, CAMPA, Finance Commission Award and special schemes.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO:
PROTECT, AMELIORATE AND TO CONSERVE SOIL & WATER loss in the UT for improving the health of soil and the quality of water for better tomorrow.
WE STRIVE FOR:
- Healthy soil and its protection from degradation and ensuring plenty of good quality water for progress and prosperity.
- Generating additional employment opportunities and income for secured livelihood in rural areas.
- Supporting the community’s demand for food, water and energyby improving the productivity of natural resources.
- Enhancing and sustaining productivity of land available for primary production systems (crop cultivation, livestock raising and forest management).
WHAT WE EXPECT FROM PEOPLE:
The people should come forward for providing timely information of such areas, which are under severe erosion and assist the Department in the preparation of the schemes and their implementation thereof.
HOW CAN PEOPLE APPROACH US:
People can approach the Department and contact District Soil Conservation Officer Poonch on any working day in the office complex at Nakhanwali Road Forest Complex Poonch
Can contact the Field Functionaries of the Department i.e. Zonal Soil Cons. Officer and field staff which are functioning in Poonch District any time.
TIMEFRAME FOR DISPOSAL OF COMPLAINTS:
Complaints will be acknowledged within 7 working days of receipt of the complaint& forwarded to concerned quarter.
Investigation of the complaints will ordinarily be made within 1-2 months from the date of acknowledgement of the complaints, depending upon the quantum of issues involved.
Visitors will be treated with courtesy and heard patiently. Efforts would be made to find an early solution to their problem.
TIMEFRAME FOR PROCESSING VARIOUS PROPOSALS:
The appropriate time is the beginning of the financial year when plans and proposal are finalized. However, the demands can be sent at any time which would be scrutinized and taken up whenever the funds are available. The projects will be completed within stipulated time.
Brief description of significant achievements/activities of the Department of Soil & Water Conservation, District Poonch/ during the year 2020-21 are given hereunder
AFFORESTATION
The works are mainly executed on forest, state owned and village common lands. The under treatment area is properly, surveyed fenced to avoid biotic interferences and fast growing species of fuel and fodder plants are planted which in turn eases out pressure on main forests by way of making available fuel and fodder to the local inhabitants out of these units.
The areas so closed increases the biomass and the tree canopy of the area which saves the soil from getting under direct impact of rain, dissipates its erosive energy, thus giving it safe disposal which helps in checking the soil erosion, in turn recharges the aquifers. It also provides shelter to wild life. Due to closure effect natural regeneration comes up and biotic interferences almost controlled, improves ecological balance and generates tremendous employment in its vicinity.