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| Government erecting concrete structures at Yusmarg | | Violation of Supreme Court guidelines | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, June 28: In violation of the apex court directions, the Yusmarg Development Authority (YDA) has erected more than one dozen concrete structures at Yusmarg which is one of the important tourist destinations in Kashmir located in central Kashmir's Budgam district. The YDA has been erecting the concrete structures right from 2009 when the YDA took formal control over this place. This place is located around 45 kilometers from Srinagar and right now the YDA is busy with construction of its so called Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) which is nothing but a huge concrete structure located in the forest land.
Yusmarg has the potential to be the gateway for a large number of potential tourist destinations in the Pir Panchaal area of Kashmir but the authorities seem to be least bothered to develop this place as per the need and demand of the environment . The authorities basically want to get cuts from the contractors and that is the reason that such huge concrete structures are erected on a forest land.
"This place is so beautiful that it mesmerizes tourists with its scenic meadows and mountains which can be compared with European Alps. There are some unique flowers in this area found in the spring season which are considered to have medicinal value as well. A major trekking route from Yousmarg leads to a famous green pasture called Tosa Maidan " said G M Ahangar the local Sarpanch.
"Our panchayat is hardly consulted by the YDA and the illegal constructions is going at full pace in our area , all these constructions openly violate supreme court guidelines and the constructions are also violating the J&K Forest Protection Act " Ahangar added.
Environmental activists say that Yusmarg is under a constant threat of ecological imbalance and this threat seen is mainly due to official apathy. " The Government and YDA should not allow any unnecessary concrete constructions in the area. YDA must prevent the influential hoteliers as well as the Tourism department or J&K Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) from going ahead with any constructions in the area. Yousmarg Master Plan should be made public for an open public debate. Under the grab of development the Government must not allow destruction of Yousmarg which indeed has a great tourism potential" said Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Khan a well know RTI and environmental activist. |
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