SAMBA, Nov 4: Deputy Commissioner Samba, Rupesh Kumar, has called upon civil society members and the general public to actively participate in the conservation and protection of water bodies, stressing the need for collective efforts to preserve these vital natural resources.
He was speaking at a one-day water body conservation programme organised by the Municipal Council Samba under the aegis of the District Administration Samba and the Directorate of Urban Local Bodies, Jammu, Department of Housing and Urban Development, with technical support from the National Development Foundation (NDF), Jammu, at the historic Samba Fort. The programme was organised under the guidance of Kapil Sharma, Director, Urban Local Bodies, Jammu, and witnessed the participation of around 300 people, including government officials, civil society representatives, students and teachers.
Deputy Commissioner Rupesh Kumar, who attended the programme as the chief guest, emphasised public participation, inter-departmental coordination and collective responsibility in protecting water bodies. He particularly sought the cooperation of civil society members in Samba to strengthen conservation efforts.
The programme began with a welcome address by Jodh Raj, Chief Executive Officer, Municipal Council Samba. Additional SP Samba Pradeep Kumar and Tehsildar Samba Gaurav Sharma were also present. Earlier, a rally by school students highlighting the importance of water conservation culminated at Samba Fort.
Rajiv Kumar Khajuria, Honorary Patron, National Development Foundation, Jammu, delivered the keynote address and sensitised participants about the importance and methods of conserving water bodies. He urged citizens, particularly the younger generation, to actively contribute towards protecting natural water resources.
Sunny Kumar, Programme Manager, NDF, administered a public pledge, encouraging participants to take collective responsibility for preserving water bodies. Ajit Kumar and his team presented a Nukkad Natak to spread awareness about the conservation of ponds and traditional water resources.
Students of Government Girls Model Higher Secondary School, Samba, participated in a painting competition on water body conservation, while students of Kushan Public School delivered speeches highlighting the importance of protecting water resources and encouraging community participation.
Addressing the gathering, Jodh Raj highlighted the role of the Municipal Council in protecting and maintaining local water bodies. He stressed the need for regular cleanliness drives, public participation and coordinated efforts to prevent pollution and encroachment. He also encouraged residents to take ownership of their local water resources and support the administration in keeping them clean and protected.
He expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, students, participating departments and community members for their support and acknowledged the technical assistance provided by the National Development Foundation in organising the programme.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Minakshi Sharma, MTS, Municipal Council Samba, who expressed gratitude to the chief guest, dignitaries, participating departments, school representatives and all those who contributed to the successful conduct of the event.