<span style="color: #222222;">In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam yesterday chaired a high level meeting to review the initiatives for conservation of diverse water bodies in the UT. AIR correspondent reports that it was informed that approximately 3800 water bodies including ponds and lakes have been identified across the UT for conservation and efforts are afoot for their preservation, protection and rejuvenation.<br />''<br />''The CS impressed upon the Forest Department to intensify the conservation efforts toward geo-tagging of water bodies, restoration of ecological balance of marine ecosystems, testing water quality in such areas, grading water bodies on monitoring parameters for effective follow-ups, and putting in place a district-level grievance redressal mechanism.<br />''<br />''The CS also reviewed the status of District Environment Plans (DEPs) prepared under the guidance of National Green Tribunal. He directed the DEP Committees to review respective plans and convey modifications, if any by March 2021, to be incorporated in the UT Plan before further submission to the Central Pollution Control Board.</span><br />