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PDA awakes, demolishes structures in Mamal sanctuary ; Questions Wildlife department, seeks support from Revenue, Flood Control 1/14/2015 12:24:33 AM Saahil Suhail Early Times Report Pahalgam, Jan 13 : Unnerved by the continuous reportage of Early Times, Pahalgam Development Authority has finally awakened and started a demolition drive in this famed tourist resort in south Kashmir. Pahalgam Development Authority demolished four illegal structures in wildlife sanctuary Mamal , leaving wildlife officials embarrassed. PDA officials told Early Times that four structures two plinths and two sheds at Mamal Pahalgam in the Wild Life Protection area were constructed by the violators in past few months with political and bureaucratic support. Interestingly, Supreme Court ruling clearly prohibits any construction in wildlife sanctuaries, but the wildlife department officials seem to have surrendered before the influential violators. PDA officials said that they also recovered huge quantity of construction material from the huts (Shaji Huts) in the area. "Owner of these two huts, Manzoor Ahmad , a city resident is highly influential person but CEO mastered courage, seized material and demolished both huts constructed illegally." PDA official whishing anonymity said. Wildlife warden south Kashmir, Mohammad Maqbool when contacted said that he has unaware about the violations. "My field staff never informed me about these violations. I was accompanying the PDA CEO after demolition we are preparing a joint report about the violations. " He said, adding in future will not allow any construction in the wildlife sanctuary. He admitted that from last many years many influential people and bureaucrats have encroached upon the forest and wildlife land in Pahalgam. "My priority will be the demarcation of the sanctuary as many people have encroached wildlife land." He said. Chief Executive Officer of Phalgam Development Authority, Mohammad Yousf vowed to continue the demolition drive against the illegal structures, however questioned the role of wildlife department in whose sanctuary he demolished 5 illegally constructed structures and recovered the construction material. "There is a Supreme Court ruling which bans any sort of construction in a wildlife sanctuary but see here I went along with my machinery to demolish the structures which people have raised illegally." Yousf told Early Times over phone. He said that wildlife department never brought any violation in his notice. "No never they communicated with me about these violations and I am puzzled that how construction material entered in the wildlife sanctuary besides having a check post. The area is maintained and protected by the Wild Life Department. There is a check Post controlled by Wild Life Protection. The structures have come up as addition, extensions to the existing structures. Two plinths and two big sheds of CGI sheets within constructional material dumped so that the pucca structures could be raised. Three big structures dilapidated wooden shingled roofed have been renovated with CGI roofing on wooden super structures, PDA said in a communiqué. PDA also sought support and cooperation from locals, Revenue, flood and control department for protecting Pahalgam. "High Court has directed not to allow any construction on river banks and state land but unfortunately both the departments are sleeping. I suggested to identify the violations and join the demolition drive but so far as they didn't turned up." CEO said. Thanking local youth for supporting the drive, he said that some offenders tried to incite the local Police and have made announcements load speakers from the Mosques, but the youth and the locals refused to defend the brokers and the offenders which boosted our morale. The Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Pahalgam, is characterized by stunning mountain landscapes, grass-clad hills and deep valleys. The sanctuary covers area of 33 square km and is richly covered with a variety of floral complexes which comprise mainly of conifers. The principal species are Pinus Griffithii, Abies Pindrow, Aesculus Indica, Morus Alba, Juglans Regia, etc. This sanctuary is the home of 13 rare species of mammals and over 80 species of birds.   Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network     Comment on this Story

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