Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 22: High Court today directed the Government to appoint the Chief Executive Officer of Gulmarg Development Authority within a week and convene a meeting for comprehensive mapping of entire resort and its villages.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmad and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey noticed that no CEO-GDA is in place for the last one month and recorded such a state of affairs is unacceptable on part of Government.
Court after perusal of map produced by the Chief Town Planner about the villages which fall under the jurisdiction of Gulmarg local area said apart from the map it has become imperative that Chief Town Planner, Regional Wildlife Warden Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla and Divisional Forest Officer Tangmarg shall convene a meeting and ensure a comprehensive map for villages to indicate the forest and wildlife sanctuary of Gulmarg. The DB directed CTP to suggest thereafter as to which village be included and which village be not included in GDA.
On previous hearing Court was informed that out of 26 villages, 19 villages have been marked and remaining villages would be identified by next date.
Court has enquired about the Master Plan of resort and since no further report on preparation of revised Master Plan has been submitted. Court directed Commissioner GAD to take the matter with concerned authority within a week.
Court has also sought complete analysis about quality of water as well as quality of air in Gulmarg. In so far as functioning of STPs in Gulmarg is concerned, PCB informed the court that the same is monitored and whenever action is required, PCB submitted, that is to be taken. Court sought fresh status report about the functioning of STP by next date.
With regard to use of polythene, Court said it has noticed that indiscriminate waste is dumped in Gulmarg and directed the authorities to take steps for banning it.
Petitioner counsel Tawheed Ahmad Sofi submitted certain photographs before the court which reveal that garbage is dumped in Gulmarg. “Executive Officer of Municipality Gulmarg shall ensure that directions from time to time and laws are implemented in letter and spirit so far as garbage is concerned”, DB directed.
Court also directed entry of polythene and other plastic items be checked at Tanagmarg entry point by the authorities. “We hope that there would be clear implementation of laws on next date”, court said.
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