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| After Pahalgam, Gulmarg; Sonamarg vandalization continues unabated | | Politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen construct hotels | | Mustansir
SRINAGAR, Dec 19: In blatant violation of the prescribed norms and regulations, the vandalization of picturesque Sonamarg continues under the nose of the state Government rather in connivance with the political bigwigs of ruling National Conference.
After Gulmarg and Pahalgam, it is Sonamarg which is the victim of unplanned and illegal constructions that are telling upon the health of this resort once called "golden meadow".
The area is no more a meadow of gold. Zones which were declared 'green' under the Sonamarg Master Plan have been brazenly defiled by the unholy triangle of politicians, bureaucrats and businesses.
Pertinently after Gulmarg and Pahalgam, Sonamarg is the most popular tourist destination in J&K. Sona means GOLD and Marg means MEADOW. Close to Sonamarg lies the great Himalayan glaciers namely Kolhoi Glacier and Machoi Glacier with some peaks of above 5000 meters: Sirbal Peak, Kolhoi Peak, Amarnath Peak and Machoi Peak.
The insensitivity of the Omar Abdullah Government viz-a-viz the fragile ecology and environment has wrecked havoc on Sonamarg and its peripheries.
The official records available with the Early Times suggest that only 8 structures (hotels) were existing in Sonmarg before 2009 and now 28 new hotels with multiple blocks are coming up in the area that too in blatant violation of norms laid down in Master Plan.
The Omar Government has issued as many as 28 permissions during last two years to the influential hoteliers of Srinagar city and some well connected political activists who are constructing multi-storied and multi block hotels in Sonamarg in clear violation of the norms and in contrast to the conditions laid down by BOCA.
Officials in Sonamarg Development Authority told Early Times today that BOCA has approved construction of structures on 25 to 29 % area of the total land in possession of each permission holder, however, the hoteliers are raising constructions over 60 to 70% of the total area in possession of each one. They said many blocks are coming up where permission has been issued for one block.
While citing examples an official on the condition of anonymity said that one Shah Jehan Gojer of Goniwan Kangan has constructed double storied hotel at Gadkul, Sonamarg on forest land in gross violation of the Master Plan of SDA.
Likewise, he said, Wazir Gojer of Ganiwan Kangan has constructed a hotel on state/property land in violation of the Master Plan, Farooq Hafiz of Kangan said.
Even big fishes seem to be involved in this mayhem as is evident from the records. All the big hoteliers who have their properties in Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam have now moved to Sonamarg to construct hotels and have even got permissions from the top authorities.
Government servants too do not lag behind in this vandalization process of Sonamarg. Mohammad Yousuf Bhat Addl. Advocate General J&K of Pulwama, Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, CEO SDA are also part of it.
Documents in possession of this newspaper reveal that State's Environment and Remote Sensing department in a notice to the Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) has expressed its concern over the unplanned construction spree that is blasting off this sensitive tourist destination of Kashmir.
The department had urged immediate measures to undo the environmental damage caused by unplanned constructions at this resort. But on the ground, nothing has changed except that the natural scenic splendor of Sonamarg is steadily making way for concrete jungle.
"While development of modern infrastructure is of paramount importance for meeting the needs of the tourism industry, it is also important to carry out development in an eco-friendly manner so as to preserve and conserve the fragile ecology and environment of Sonamarg," the Environment and Remote Sensing department stressed.
"The development which has already taken place at Sonamarg or is in progress has a serious adverse impact on the ecology and environment," it warns.
The waste generated by hundreds of thousands of tourists is thrown around without any treatment or scientific management, as per the survey of the department officials.
As if this was not enough, all untreated effluents find their way into the Sindh river which straddles the beautiful resort.
"This causes extensive pollution in the river because no Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) is in place," the official communique to SDA observes.
They say majority of the hotels and huts that have already come up as also the ones that are being constructed belong to the "big shots of the Valley."
"From politicians to bureaucrats to businessmen -- everybody is involved in vandalizing Sonamarg," locals allege.
"Do you know why Government is silent over the issue?" asked a group of locals. "… because it is the powerful people - those who are in the Government or are very close to the Ministers and top bureaucrats are involved in it." |
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