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| Chenab Region Deserves its Due ! | | Centre' Economic Package | | Syed Asgar Ali (Ex.MLC) | 7/24/2015 10:12:56 PM |
| Chenab region or the erstwhile district Dada spreads over a large hilly terrain which starts on one end from Banihal and Gool areas of Ramban district and goes across present Doda district to the extreme boundaries of Kishrwar district which touch the Suru Valley in Laddakh on or e 'de and South Kashmir on the other side. River Chenab which has its origin in Lahul Sipta (Himachal) flows across this region and finally enters Pakistan, Chenab possesses a great' potential of Hydro Electric Power which has been rightly identified and tapped by both Government of India and our State Government. A survey conducted few years back says that the region has a potential of more than 20000 MW Hydro Electric Power. At present more than six power projects are either coming up or have already been built in th region. Dul Hasti 390 M and Bhagliar-I 450 MW are already generating power, whereas Ratley 850 MW, Pakal Dul 1000 MW Keru and Karthai power projects are being built either in joint venture b NHPC and State Government or by outsourcing to different Companies in BOOT mode. This huge natural wealth in the shape of water resource make for a big fortune for both Government of India and to some extent State Government but brings only misfortune for the people of the region. The big reservoirs of water made for these power projects have put a threat to the geological as well as environmental balance of the region. The situation becomes more aggravated by the fact that this region has a single feeding road called NHIA which is constantly deteriorating and sinking as the pressure of water from these huge projects is constantly shaking it. I am afraid that in the past as we were exploited of our forest resources, first in the hands of crude forest lessees and then by State Forest Corporation 'ho robbed the region of its wealth of Green Gold and almost sixty percent forests vanished making the local population vulnerable to the wrath of nature despite Supreme Court of India clear prohibitory orders, now the mindless and unplanned exploitation of our water resource may result in adding to the miseries of our people. Apart from this huge potential of Hydro Electric Projects, this region is Abundantly rich in mineral wealth. Who is not aware of famous Saphire Mine of Padder but to the utter disappointment of the people in the State in general and the people of this Region in particular, there is no concrete policy of the Government for tapping this treasure and making it beneficial for the people of this Region. Besides, huge quantity of Gypsum and Marble, the Geological Survey has identified Ruby, Emarald, Aqua marine, Garnet and Topaz in this region especially in Padder area of Kishtwar district but again the locals have no participation and this all amounts to the exploitation of resources at the cost of local population which is gradually creating heartburn amongst the locals. Tourism is yet another area which this Region can open to the whole country and even to the foreign tourists. A paradise like Valley of Bhaderwah, the unique tracking routes of Kishtwar which on one side touch Ladakh and Himachal and on the other side open into the Kashmir Valley. The famous Brahma peak in Dachchan area of Kishtwar, the dream lands and deep waters of Warwan and Marwah are all great attractions to the tourists of our country and foreigners as well. Moreover, the pilgrim tourism of this Region can compete with any other places in the country. The 'Michhail Yatra' in its raw form as there are no facilities available for stay enroute or at the culmination points still records more than two lakhs yatries in just two months every year. The famous shrine of Kishtwar can also become a big destination for pilgrim tourism, provided given the right attention. There are many other things which can be enumerated as jewels of this glorious land. But what is needed at this point of time is to remind Hon'ble Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed about making the beginning by giving region's due share in the Economic Package which the State is expected to-receive in the near future, Mufti Sahib has seen every comer of this Region and he was always appreciative of its richness in natural resources and its scenic beauties. On numerous occasions I was fortunate to be with him and I remember when after a very tiring and difficult 8 hours drive via Margan Top we reached the Valley of Warwan, we all were expecting that a tired and irritated Mufti Sahib will take us all to task for bringing him on this kacha road for all these hours. But to our astonishment, Mufti Sahib delighted from his Scorpio Jeep with a lively smile and the first sentence he spoke was "The road has a good alignment but will be worth travelling when it will be mechadamised." We all stood there dumb stuck by his words partially and partially by the enchanting virgin beauty of Warwan Valley. Mufti Sahib was of the view that it can become another Pahalgam! Now in this backdrop we the people of this Region crave for our due share in the forthcoming Economic Package. We ask for alternate route as already surveyed by the BRO from Sudh Mahadev to Kishtwar and Sanghpur - Vailu Tunnel which was already initiated by Mufti Sahib in his first tenure as Chief Minister and for which the DPRs have already been completed shall get its places in the Economic Package. This tunnel will provide all weather connectivity with Kashmir and can prove second road connection from Jammu to Srinagar. Moreover both these connectivity projects long way in 'minimizing road accidents in this Region which otherwise claim more than a thousand lives in accidents on this route ever year'. Dessa-Kapran road is another pending demand of this Region, which can connect the Doda district closely with the district of Anantnag in Kashmir. The Airport at Kishtwar which has already been a given a nod by the Airport Authority of India needs a priority touch as it will go a long way in improving the tourism sector in the Region. It is pertinent to mention here that Kishtwar is the one place where ALG (Advance Landing Ground) is available. Skill Training Centre of All India repute in the region, for which Hon'ble Chief Minister has already agreed in the District Development, Board meeting, must get a place in the Economics Package. The Mineral wealth of the Region especially the sapphire treasure at Padder needs immediate attention and a refinery be established in Padder itself which will provide employment to the locals. The Hon'ble Chief Minister has already announced 'Chenab Region Development Fund' in the recent District Development Board meeting at Doda. We urge that necessary contours of this fund may be laid down by way of suitable legislation for the purpose and a definite and regular share from all the Hydel Power Project being build in the Region or already built in the Region shall be earmarked for the said fund, and shall mainly be utilized for developing infrastructure in respect of Health Sector, Education Sector, Tourism Sector etc in the Region. The Region has a very strategic place in the geography of the State whether it is its water resources, Forest resource of Mineral resource but unfortunately the Region has always been neglected and the plight of people warrants immediate measure be taken to improve the overall living conditions of the people of the Region. It is for these reason, that people of the Region have a expectation from Mufti Sahib that he will come to their rescue as and when the State receives the Mega Economics Package from the Government of India.
The writer can be contacted at [email protected] |
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