As much as 5190 kanals of forest land in Gulmarg is required to be included in Gulmarg Bowl to save it effectively from recurring encroachments . Alternatively, the said land could be demarcated as a forest land , falling under designated Wildlife area. It is obviously a matter falling in the domain of the Government as by taking a decision and issuing an order to this effect, could be achieved what the Divisional Forest Officer , Special Forest Division Tangmarg in its report, submitted before the Division Bench of the High Court. As to what kept the successive Governments in Jammu and Kashmir from doing so, is beyond comprehension which resulted in furtherance of encroachment of and damage to the world famous tourist destination and a health resort.
However, the Division Bench of the High Court has directed the Government to declare the big chunk of Gulmarg forest land either as Gulmarg Bowl or ‘Maqbooza Janglaat’ . It has also directed the encroachers to remove their encroachments on the forest land. The court has directed also for resolving associated issues and place a report before it before the next date of hearing .Many issues, needless to add, could be avoided and settled if a proper coordination between different departments was forged as in the instant case between the Revenue Department, Forest Department and the GDA. Let every effort be pooled including statutorily backed, to protect and conserve natural boons like Gulmarg forests.
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