In a rare environment friendly initiative, the Kashmir Frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF) has issued a directive to the personnel to shun motor vehicles to commute to the office from the official quarters to check air and noise pollution besides reducing carbon footprint.
“It has been observed that office staff of Frontier Headquarter Kashmir and Subsidiary Training Centre Kashmir are commuting from their (residential) quarters to office by vehicles such as personal motorcycles/cars, which causes unnecessary air and sound pollution in the campus, which is not only detrimental to health of family members living in campus but it is utter foolishness to burn unnecessary fuel as we all know that we have got limited hydrocarbon reserves,” reads the order issued by BSF's Kashmir Frontier.
It further said, “We can mitigate these health hazards (air and noise pollution) and contribute a bit in saving precious hydrocarbons by adopting more environment friendly modes of transport like bicycle riding and on foot walking.”
It also directed that, henceforth, no office staff will use motorized vehicles while coming to office or moving in the campus area. They may come to office by walking or may use bicycles, which will be beneficial for their health besides keeping the campus pollution free.
Further, if anyone is found using a motorcycle or cars for coming to office or moving in the campus area without any valid reasons, strict disciplinary action will be taken for violating the related instruction.
The copy of the order issued by the Inspector General of BSF has been circulated to all branches of Frontier Kashmir, Frontier STC, Kashmir and General Duty Office.
Officials said the idea has the twin purpose of reducing the carbon footprint as well as keeping the staffers physically fit besides having a renewed sense of endurance.
The IG’s secretariat of the BSF is headquartered at Humhama in Badgam district of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.