NIT campus not to come up at Newa Pulwama

Srinagar, Aug 2: In a relief for farmers and environmental activists, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has dismissed a petition against the proposed NIT Srinagar campus in Newa, Pulwama, after authorities clarified that no land had been acquired or trees felled for the project.

The NGT’s Principal Bench, headed by Justice Prakash Srivastava, noted that the petition filed by activist Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat was premature. Affidavits submitted by NIT Srinagar and the Deputy Commissioner of Pulwama confirmed that no possession had been taken and no construction or deforestation had begun in the Karewa lands of Qariwa Ranbirpora.

Raja Muzaffar Bhat, in a statement, said that he had approached the tribunal earlier this year, warning that the project threatened thousands of trees and fertile horticultural land. Acting on the petition, the NGT had sought details on land allotment and proposed tree felling. In response, NIT Srinagar stated that the institute was still operating from its existing 67-acre campus in Hazratbal and had not received any land in Pulwama.

The NIT, in its reply, also assured that no project would be undertaken without full environmental clearances and due diligence.

While dismissing the petition, the tribunal granted liberty to the applicant to re-approach the court if construction begins or trees are cut in the future.

“I know the plea was premature, but had we not acted, irreversible damage could have occurred,” said Bhat. Locals also expressed relief. “The NGT’s notice saved our land and livelihoods,” said Ghulam Nabi, a resident of Parigam.

The NGT’s intervention, according to locals, halted what could have been a major ecological and agricultural loss in South Kashmir.