Authorities crack whip on violators, say no compromise on Master Plan

Baramulla, Dec 23: The authorities have cracked a whip and warned of strict action against those carrying out illegal constructions which are ravaging the Tangmarg and Gulmarg area, a verdant haven in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

According to officials, scores of complaints were received about the illegal constructions and unchecked encroachments in the Green Belt of the Gulmarg and Tangmarg area.

An official of the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) said that some people were resorting to mishandling the permission granted by the competent authorities.

“During the past few weeks, we received several complaints and teams were deputed to different areas to check the actual position on the ground. Some construction was going on in the Drang area as well. But the team constituted by GDA stopped the construction and some material was seized as well,” he said.

The official said that the people who were carrying these constructions in forest areas claim to have got the permission.

“But it has been observed that there has been some mishandling of these permissions,” the official said.

Greater Kashmir earlier carried a series of stories regarding the issue and highlighted that the unchecked encroachments and illegal earth-cutting are ravaging Tangmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

The illegal constructions not only threaten the fragile ecosystem of this most sought-after tourist destination but also question the accountability of those entrusted to protect it.

MLA Gulmarg Farooq Ahmad Shah has already assured strict action against those involved in the illegal constructions in the area.

The concerned forest officials have also assured that the matter would be inquired and necessary action taken as per the law.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) GDA, Tariq Hussain, who recently assumed the charge, told Greater Kashmir that nobody would be allowed to harm the ecology of the Gulmarg and Tangmarg area.

“I have recently joined and have visited various areas to inform people that there will be no compromise on the Master Plan of the Gulmarg,” he said.

The CEO GDA said no one who carries out any sort of illegal construction would be spared.

“There is a Master Plan in place. If they (people) fulfil the prerequisite documentation we will issue the permissions,” he said.

The CEO GDA said that they would ensure that strict action is taken against those who carry out illegal constructions in the Gulmarg or Tangmarg area.

“Nobody will be allowed to mishandle the permission. Only those constructions will be allowed which have proper Building Operations Controlling Authority (BOCA) permission as per the Master Plan,” the CEO GDA told Greater Kashmir.