What catches the eye of environmentalists in the maiden budget by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is the provision for disaster mitigation strategies.

Owing to its unique topography, Jammu and Kashmir is a multi-hazard region prone to natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, landslides, avalanches, high velocity winds, and snowstorms. Besides most parts of the Himalayan region fall under the high seismic zones making it highly vulnerable to earthquakes.
Omar, who is an avid nature lover, ensured to make provision for strategies in the Budget to deal

with threats of floods. Who else than Omar can know about large-scale devastation which can be caused by floods. During his previous stint as Chief Minister in 2014, he saw Kashmir  submerged, and he led rescue and relief operations during those devastating floods.
In his marathon budget speech, Omar minced no words to say that 2014 floods highlighted the need for proactive disaster mitigation. To enhance resilience, Omar said the government is establishing a Rs 39 crore Disaster Mitigation Fund. This is the first-of-its-kind dedicated fund for prevention, early warning systems, and preparedness for floods. “By investing in tools, manpower, and 40 infrastructure, we aim to reduce risks and safeguard lives and property across Jammu & Kashmir,” Omar said in his Budget speech as Finance Minister in the Assembly.

Being prone to floods, this kind of strategy........

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