Save Patnitop
Sir,
Patnitop which is at a
distance of about 100 kms, from Jammu is on the verge of
destruction. It will lose its beauty thanks to the
indifferent attitude of Government. The Deodar trees are
drying Rapid deforestation has made landslides a common
phenomenon there. Most of the natural springs in the area
are rapidly drying; soil of the area is eroding at a very
rapid pace, there is dumping of solid waste everywhere
and more and more illegal hotels and guest houses are
being constructed continuously to make huge sums of money
at the cost of the environment of the area. All this has
become a major threat for the very existence of this
hillstation. The old persons living in the area also
confess that Patnitop is very rapidly heading towards
destruction. All this has happened during the past 10-15
years, as in this period a large number of huge buildings
have comeup in the area in a haphazard manner. It is a
matter of great concern that the glory of Patnitop is
fading rapidly and people of our state alone are
responsible for this change. Today the mutual and
congenial understanding between people, environment and
wildlife, has almost vanished.
All this has forced
organizations like WWF-India to come forward and to start
a mass movement to save Patnitop from dying. In this
connection recently, WWF-India, in association with
Udhampur Development Society and other NGO's of Udhampur
organized a five days Nature Environment Awareness Camp
at Patnitop in which 120 youths and students drawn from
different educational institutions of Udhampur
participated. Some envrionmentalist invited on the
occasion delivered lectures on the occasion. The campers
also created environmental awareness among the locals by
organizing rallies and cleanliness drives.
The survey of the area
carried out by the young campers clearly indicated that a
large quantity of bio and non-biodegradable solid waste
and kitchen waste is disposed off daily in the
surrounding forests which includes the plastic bags and
tins. The toxic sewerage is becoming a threat for the
very existence of a large number of plant and animal
species in the area. The study conducted by the campers
also revealed that there is no system of solid and
sewerage waste management either by hotel owners or by
Patnitop Development Authority. The campers strongly
recommended that hotel owners should voluntarily make
arrangements for solid waste disposal and treatment of
toxic sewerage wastes to protect surrounding environment.
It was also recommended that Forest Department, Pollution
Control Board and Patnitop Development Authority in
association with NGO's take appropriate steps for
recharging of natural springs, protection of forests,
solid waste disposal and massive plantation on the eroded
slopes of Patnitop and Kud hills. On this occasion the
PDA was urged to utilize the services of prominent
environmentalists in this connection or appoint
environment officers for taking up eco-restoration works
at Patnitop.
While devising the
restoration measures locals of the area should also be
involved. A participatory process of joint management
that can accommodate the native wisdom of the people and
their emotional links to protect the area be utilized to
promote conservation along with the protection of
interests of the local communities. Participatory
management can bring about mutual trust. This is the only
way to manage natural resources of the area in a more
effective way. In this way the ecological restoration can
become more easier with the local community becoming a
partner in the conservation effort. An attitudinal change
in the hotel owners of the area will definitely go a long
way in conserving this hill station for posterity. This
will help in promoting eco-tourism in the area.
To conclude I would say
that all the government and non-governmental
organizations working in the field of environment should
come forward and join hands with WWF-India so as to make
the save Patnitop movement a mass movement.
Yours etc...
Pankaj Chandan.
Jammu.
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