Th. Gulchain Singh Charak, former Minister and President, Dogra Sadar Sabha, Jammu and Kashmir (DSS), addressed a press conference here today the 24th of April 2023 in connection with celebration of the annual ‘Save Water Save Birds Day”, scheduled to be held on 6 May, 2023 at the Sabha Bhawan, Dogra Hall, Jammu.
Speaking on the occasion, Th. Gulchain Singh Charak informed that DSS has been observing the Day for the last more than two decades with a sort of religious sanctity to commemorate, revive and propagate the age old Dogra tradition of feeding the voiceless creatures, before partaking of their meals. He said that providing water to the birds to quench their thirst during scorching summer heat is a sacred duty of the human beings, particularly in the urban areas, where fast emerging jungles of concrete are disturbing the habitat of mute birds and animals and depleting their sources of water and feed.
He appealed to the conscientious citizens of Duggar Pardesh to participate in the proposed programme in large numbers as a mark of their concern and respect for coexistence of human beings-birds-animals.
Shri Charak said that DSS is seeking collaboration from all concerned stakeholders and departments like the Forests, Environment and Ecology, Wildlife, Social Forestry, Education, etc. to participate in the programme, as in the past so that the message of taking all possible steps to conserve biodiversity and to save water resources reaches to all nooks and corners of the Union Territory.
Shri Charak informed that a mass rally of men, women and children from different walks of life, including hundreds of students and the staff of different schools and colleges will be organized at Dogra Sadar Sabha Bhawan, adjacent to Hari Singh Zanana Park, Dogra Hall Jammu. The participants will carry banners, posters and placards on the themes, “Aao Pakshiyon ko Pani Pilayen (Come and Join us to Quench Thirst of Birds)” and “Save Water”. Earthen pots’ and ‘chhikus’ will be distributed by the Sabha among the participants and the commuters, pedestrians as well as vehicle-borne citizens to provide drinking water to birds in the scorching heat of this summer month.
Through the media, Shri Charak appealed to the people to save the birds in the scorching heat by keeping the pots filled with water hanging from the trees at suitable places in parks, gardens and also in their lawns, balconies or on the walls and window sills of their houses at open, but safe places away from the reach of preying cats, etc. “The birds will come to these pots and quench their thirst,” Shri Charak said that the activity will also give people an opportunity of enjoying playful activities of birds, besides bird-watching.
Shri Gulchain Singh Charak explained that although Jammu (Tawi) had a plenty of water resources, but in recent years the water crisis had increased. He said that it was the primary duty of every citizen to very judiciously and efficiently use this invaluable gift of God. He appealed to the people not to waste even a single drop of water. He highlighted that saving water as various scientific projections estimate that the average temperature at various places around the globe can rise by 4 to 5 degrees Celsius by the year 2050. We will have to take appropriate precautions and necessary action to retard the trend of global warming through water conservation, tree plantation and proper management of birds and animals, he said.
He also informed that the Dogra Sadar Sabha will organize the day in the shape of a movement to generate enthusiasm among the citizens to treat the birds and animals as a part of the larger family of living beings. In the spiritual context, he reminded that providing drinking water to birds and animals, particularly during summer months, blesses the donor with good health, prosperity and happiness.
Special Appeal to save the Prestigious Mubarak Mandi Complex
Shri Charak made a special reference to the restoration and conservation work going on at painfully snails pace at Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex. He made a fervent appeal to the government, particularly to the Hon’ble Lt. Governor Shri Manoj Sinha to review the progress as the inclement weather and Western Disturbances this season and the forthcoming monsoon season, which isn’t far away will play havoc with the grandeur of this fragile old building complex, taking toll of the unique graceful history of the erstwhile Dogra Empire contained within those walls.
Prominent among those who express their views on the occasion were Col. Karan Singh Jamwal , Prem Sagar Gupta, Col. Dr. Virendra k Sahi, G A Khawaja, Gambhir Dev Singh, Chander Mohan Sharma and others. 
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