The Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing, came into existence in the year 1987, under the Department of Science and Technology with the creation of one post of Director and transfer of Remote sensing Centre from the Department of Soil Conservation to the Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing. Subsequently technical as well as administrative staff was added through various Govt. orders. The recruitment rules for gazetted and sub-ordinate services under the Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing were notified vide SRO no. 221 dated 28.07.2009 and SRO 298 dated 15.09.2006 respectively.

Degradation of the Environment caused by polluted atmosphere has tremendous impact on our day to day life and amounts to violation of Right to life. In India the concern for environment protection has not only been raised to status of fundamental law of land, but, it is also coupled with human right approach. It is now well established that it is the basic right of every citizen to have a pollution free environment with dignity.

The constitution of India obligates State as well as citizens to protect and improve the environment. This department was created to uphold its obligation as envisaged in the constitution of India, as well as that of the Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir, with an objective to protect and manage environment for sustainable development of the Nation in general and Jammu & Kashmir State in particular.

Details of Business transacted by the Ecology Environment and Remote Sensing Deptt.

1. To identify areas of Environmental concern in the State of Jammu & Kashmir and to advise the Government on such issues.
2. To formulate plans for sustainable environmental protection.
3. To advise the State Government on formulation of environmental related policies/issues.
4. To create environmental awareness by involving the Schools, Colleges & Universities, through awareness programmes.
5. To educate the general masses on environmental issues, by conducting Seminars, Cultural activities, distribution of environmental awareness, publicity material.
6. To organize group discussions, debates, essay writing competitions, drawing competitions, slogan writing competitions, quiz competitions in schools, colleges, professional institutes in urban and as well as in rural areas, on the present environmental scenario.
7. To create environmental awareness through print media/electronic media.
8. To conduct impact Assess studies of important projects.
9. To involve the village committees and Municipal Committees for better hygienic environmental atmosphere by giving them basic knowledge/trainings.
10. To undertake the Remote Sensing projects/other projects of Environmental significance of State for managing the natural resources.
11. Use of Remote Sensing Applications for mapping of wasteland of state and assessment of Natural resources.

Details of Customers/Client. 

Being a Government Department, its prime client is the State Government; however, with regard to its corollary activities, its Customers also happens to be the citizens of the State/Educational institutions, Non Government organizations  and other Government agencies out side the State.

Statement of Service provided to its citizens/client.

Service	Mode/Timeline
Online/Offline Spatial Data (GIS/Remote Sensing) being provided to the stakeholder departments	The projects wherein data is available, the service is being provided free of cost. Whereas the projects which require data generation, funds are requisitioned from the user departments to cover the manpower/hardware/ground data collection costs only. Timelines: Decided on the basis of quality and quantity of mapping outputs required.
Remote Sensing & GIS Database Generation	The departments act a nodal Centre for mapping activities of ISRO in Jammu and Kashmir where under GIS data is being generated as per national standards. Timelines: As and when approached by ISRO
Research	The department undertakes various research projects particularly in the field of Remote Sensing and GIS. Timelines: decided on the basis of quality and quantity of mapping outputs required.
Establishment of Environment Parks	On-going activity of the department with an intent of providing field-based knowledge dissemination/awareness about nature and environment for all sections of the society. Timelines: Round the year activity
Environment information and creation of public awareness.	Database pertaining to the environmental parameter of J&K and disseminating it through various modes of communication (Training/Workshop/Seminars/Website, etc). Timelines:Round the year activity.
Trainings	The department undertakes various training programs throughout the year in the use of GIS and Remote Sensing for sister wings and other stakeholder departments. Timelines:Round the year activity.
Policy Documentation	Preparation of Policy documents like. State Environmental Plan. Environmental Policy Wetlands Documentation. State Action Plan on Climate Change Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment. Timelines: As and when required.
Environmental Clearance	The department acts as a Secretariate for J&K Environment Impact Assessment Authority. The Environmental Clearances are being processed as per guidelines of MoEF&CC. Timelines: As fixed by the MoEF&CC.