J&K committee suggests measures to control pollution in valley

SRINAGAR: The Assurance Committee of Jammu and Kashmir legislature suggested stringent measures to check growth of "unlicensed and illegal" industrial units especially brick kilns and stone crushers which are causing environmental pollution in the valley.

"The Pollution Control Board have been asked not to issue licenses for establishment of industrial units unless they install pollution control devices and ensure replacement of burnout machinery," committee chairman M Y Tarigami told reporters here after a meeting.

The committee comprising officers from the departments of Forest, Geology and Mining, Industries, Commerce, Revenue and Pollution Control Board was formed after PDP MLA from Pampore Assembly constituency Mir Zahoor Ahmad demanded the government to look into an environment threat by a crusher in Bathan, Zanthrag and Pampore areas.

The committee also asked the forest department to ensure check on timber smuggling and other forest produce.