GCC calls for preservation of Brein-Nishat Conservation Reserve

Srinagar, Oct 19: The Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC) J&K has raised alarm at the impending threat to Brein Nishat Conservation Reserve and Dachigam Wildlife National Park with the proposed acquisition of 1324 Kanals of land in Brein-Nishan (Tehsil Khanyar, Dist Srinagar) to set up camping sites for forces.

In a statement released here today, GCC observed the area earmarked comes within the CONSERVATION RESERVE "Protected Area Network"(PAN) notified under the Wildlife Act 1972 , as amended in 2022 .

“Any such move could have the potential of disturbing the fragile ecosystem of the Zabarwan hills, posing an existential threat to rare wildlife, including  Hangul (Kashmiri stag) , snow leopard and other unique mammals which have already reached the " red alert list". Any further squeezing of their habitat will have an irreversible impact on the entire biodiversity of this sensitive high-density tourist location,” the statement said.

“The specified area also falls within the approved Green Belt Zone of Srinagar Master Plan 2035. As such any infrastructure development within the area is not permissible and hence prohibited. Any land use change would be highly perilous given the sensitivity and fragility of eco system, including the well-preserved biodiversity of the Conservation Reserve which also forms a part of the Eco-Sensitive Zone ( ESZ) of famous Dachigam Wildlife National Park and is an important micro watershed of Dal lake,” it added.

Appreciating some local citizens having moved the National Green Tribunal(NGT), which has issued notice to the Government of J&K, besides other Departments, Agencies concerned, the Group has brought up the need for increased public awareness and engagement with issues of protecting natural resources, ecology and environment.

Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary, it recalled, was first established by Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1910 and came to be notified as" Wildlife Conservation Reserve" vide Cabinet Order No,710 of 1945 dated 11-07-1945.

“The GCC expresses deep anguish at the reportedly removal of vegetative growth, including land clearance and cutting down of trees, being initiated without mandatory pre-project clearances and proper acquisition/transfer of land in due process of law" and appeals the LG and CM that the proposal be shelved and an appropriate alternative sites to raise the Camping Site. Further, the GCC has urged the Government to take all necessary steps to prevent unwarranted and unlawful interference with eco fragile areas and tourist destinations throughout J&K,” it added.