Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday emphasised promotional activities, particularly among school children, for major projects such as Jambu Zoo, Hokersar and Gharana Wetland, and directed that public transport facilities be provided to these destinations to promote eco-tourism and environmental awareness in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Lieutenant Governor made these remarks while chairing the 6th meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Wildlife Board at Lok Bhavan.
During the meeting, the Wildlife Board accorded wildlife clearance to several key development projects and recommended certain proposals to the National Board for Wildlife for final approval. These included projects related to 4G saturation, Jal Jeevan Mission, re-alignment of transmission lines, establishment of border security posts, development of horticulture nurseries and installation of avalanche warning systems.
Officials also briefed the Board on ongoing conservation and habitat improvement initiatives, including steps taken to address human-wildlife conflict, establishment of animal rescue centres and restoration of wetlands. The Lieutenant Governor stressed the need to prioritise sustainable biodiversity management and long-term conservation of wildlife habitats.
The Board reviewed progress made at the Hangul Breeding Centre at Tral and noted with satisfaction the steady increase in Hangul population, which has risen from 127 in 2008 to 323 as per the 2025 census. Concerns related to crop damage caused by wild boar, blue bull and monkeys were also discussed, with the Board expressing the need to explore compensation mechanisms for affected farmers.
Documentaries showcasing restoration work at Hokersar and Gharana Wetland Conservation Reserves and the operationalisation of the Hangul Breeding Centre were screened during the meeting. The Lieutenant Governor also released several departmental publications, including the Wildlife Calendar 2026, a coffee table book on the wildlife of Jammu and Kashmir, a book titled “The Bounty of Pir Panjal”, and a report documenting the first-ever discovery of a hedgehog species in the region.
Earlier in the day, the Lieutenant Governor interacted with IAS Officer Trainees of the 2025 batch, who are on a five-day Winter Study Tour to Jammu under the Bharat Darshan Programme.
Sharing insights on governance and public service, he highlighted the transformational changes witnessed by Jammu and Kashmir across various sectors.
The officer trainees, currently undergoing Phase-I training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie, are visiting key sites including the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, Salal Hydroelectric Project, Bari Brahmana SIDCO Industrial Area, the India-Pakistan border and important locations in Jammu city to gain first-hand exposure to administration, development and cultural diversity in the region.
Later, the Lieutenant Governor received the 66th Annual Report (2024–25) of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission at Lok Bhavan. The report was presented by JKPSC Chairman Arun Kumar Choudhary along with members of the Commission. Commending the Commission’s role, the Lieutenant Governor lauded its commitment to transparency, integrity and merit-based recruitment.
The Chairman briefed the Lieutenant Governor on recent administrative and technological reforms, including a proposed SMS notification system to keep aspirants informed at various stages of the recruitment process. The report detailed selections made, departmental promotion committee meetings conducted, promotions effected and recruitment rules approved during the year.
