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| Famous business house 'plunders' green gold at Gulmarg, fells scores of trees | | May go for extension of 'illegal' hotel | |  Jehangir Rashid
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Sept 2: At a time when huge emphasis is being laid on the preservation of forest cover across the globe, 'loot' and 'plunder' of trees has been going on at Gulmarg, the world famous ski resort located in the North Kashmir's Baramulla district.
Sources told Early Times that scores of trees were felled in the backyard of a famous hotel at the world famous health resort of Gulmarg. Pertinent to mention the hotel has come up in contravention of laid down norms since hundreds of trees were felled in order to pave way for its construction.
"As the hotel belongs to a famous business family the people at helm at the time of construction did not deem it fit to raise a question over the same. Although, the ecology and environment was virtually bamboozled the government did not raise any objection about the construction of the hotel," said sources.
Sources said that over the past one week or so many trees have been cut in the backyard of the hotel adding that the same may be a part of the extension of the hotel. They said that despite the directions of High Court the violators of law continue to make merry at the cost of causing dent to the environment.
"The business family considers itself above the law and the worst part is that they have been influencing the political parties to the hilt. As such the popular governments in the state have never acted against them even though complaints against them have been proved time and again," said sources.
The business family in question was in news recently following complaints against their brand of milk. A show cause notice was issued to the company by the District Magistrate, Srinagar after it came to the fore that the manufacturing date of the milk produced on August 28, 2018 has been written as September 1, 2018.
"Although the District Magistrate had asked the company higher ups to respond to the show cause notice within two days nobody knows what happened later on. In the past many complaints have been lodged against the company, but every time the company managed to run away with no action taken against them," said sources.
Sources said that the groups working for the preservation of environment in the Kashmir valley also did not raise their voice against the 'plunder' of forest cover by the business group while constructing the hotel. They said that 'hypocrisy' on part of these groups virtually emboldened the business house to construct the hotel at Gulmarg.
"There are very few people who raise voice against the influential ones and same was witnessed with respect to construction of hotel at Gulmarg. The High Court should take immediate note of the violation and order for the demolition of the hotel. Once action is taken against an influential person the others would be cautious especially when it concerns the environment," said sources. |
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