RTI Movement delegation meets DC Budgam, flags mining, tourism issues

Budgam, June 18: A delegation from the Jammu & Kashmir Right to Information (RTI) Movement, led by its Chairman Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, met the newly appointed Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, on Wednesday. The team extended a warm welcome to the DC and raised several pressing issues related to governance, environmental protection, tourism development, and the rights of pastoral communities.

During the meeting, the delegation urged the DC to strictly enforce key central laws, especially concerning land acquisition, mining regulations, and forest rights.

They emphasised the need for greater administrative attention to the grazing rights of nomadic communities like the Gujjars and Chopans, calling for a simplified, single-window permission system for access to highland pastures.

Concerns over the conservation and regulated development of tourism hubs such as Yusmarg, Doodhpathri, and Tosamaidan were also highlighted. The RTI Movement requested the administration to permit trekking groups to operate in the Pir Panjal meadows, noting that local stakeholders had already made significant investments in eco-tourism and adventure activities.

Environmental concerns featured prominently in the discussions. The delegation raised alarm over illegal riverbed and clay mining, especially in the Surasyar block, where locals received meagre compensation after fruit trees were cut by a power transmission company. Commending the efforts of the administration and police—particularly SDPO Charar Sharief and SHO Chadoora—for acting against illegal miners following directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the delegation urged DC Bhat to ensure strict compliance with mining laws going forward.