Srinagar, July 7: In a major push towards sustainable urban development and environmental conservation, Commissioner Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, Mandeep Kaur, on Monday visited the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K) to review the university’s pioneering Green Campus initiatives and explore their replication in government-led urban infrastructure projects across Jammu and Kashmir.
Mandeep Kaur was accompanied by Commissioner, Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Faz Lul Haseeb. During the visit, the delegation conducted a detailed inspection of the university’s sustainability ecosystem, which includes a zero-waste campus model, advanced rainwater harvesting systems, Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and scientific plastic waste management practices.
An exclusive review meeting was later held with Vice Chancellor, Professor Nazir Ahmad Ganai, and senior university officials to finalize a roadmap for expanding and strengthening the Green Campus initiative. The discussions focused on integrating nature-based solutions, resource conservation and modern technology into future institutional and urban development projects.
Appreciating the university’s efforts towards environmental stewardship, Mandeep Kaur said the successful initiatives at SKUAST-K, particularly in water conservation, wastewater treatment and waste recycling, could serve as a model for similar projects across the Union Territory.
She said the university’s work provides a practical and replicable blueprint for sustainable urban planning, adding that the government aims to incorporate these scalable green practices, including efficient STP management and plastic waste reduction systems, into future public infrastructure and urban development projects to build more resilient, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable public spaces.
The Commissioner Secretary also emphasized the need for greater collaboration between academic institutions and government departments to promote innovation-driven environmental governance and sustainable infrastructure development.
Vice Chancellor Professor Nazir Ahmad Ganai reaffirmed the university’s commitment to extending technical expertise and institutional support to the Housing and Urban Development Department for implementing green initiatives and achieving long-term sustainability goals.
The proposed roadmap, officials said, marks a significant step towards institutionalising green governance and integrating sustainable development as a core component of public infrastructure planning in Jammu and Kashmir. (KNC)
