*Resolution withdrawn, MLA alleges encroachments
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 24: The Government today declared that it wouldn’t allow any violations of Master Plan in tourist spots and any constructions would have to come up within the stipulated guidelines. However, he said, the issues of constructions were sub-judice at some places, which can’t be discussed in the Assembly.
Replying to brief debate on a resolution moved by PDP MLA from Pahalgam Rafi Mir in the Assembly, Tourism Minister GA Mir declared that the Government wouldn’t allow violation of Master Plan at any tourist spots. He said Master Plan for some tourist areas has been formulated and revised while for some other areas, it would be announced shortly.
Admitting unauthorized constructions at some places, the Minister said the High Court was monitoring constructions at some tourist spots on the basis of Public Interest Litigations (PILs). He said tourism is a key sector and the Government can’t allow its beautification to be lowered in any manner.
Rafi Mir had moved the resolution during autumn session of the Assembly in Srinagar on October 5 and debate on it was pending.
Rafi Mir said there was a need to preserve environment and give a green look to the tourism spots. He cited the example of Europe, United States and Thailand, where tourist spots present a beautiful look. He said the Government should include Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg in the bill, which it was bringing for Srinagar, Jammu and Katra to freeze sealing.
CPM MLA MY Tarigami said influential sections were involved in unauthorized constructions at Pahalgam and Gulmarg.
“Whether spines of the Government were powerful enough to save natural assets”? he asked.
Mr Tarigami said some influential persons have encroached upon the State land at tourist spot at Ahrabal in Kulgam.
In his reply, GA Mir said the Government would initiate all possible measures to ensure that illegal constructions in and around the State’s tourist destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg were strictly dealt with.
He said his Government would deal with cases of illegal constructions strictly and ensure that unauthorized structures at key tourist spots and along roads leading to these places were removed.
The Minister said: “tourism is a key sector of the State’s economy” and stressed the need to develop infrastructure and preserve environment to sustain it in the long run.
“Tourism provides direct and indirect employment to a large number of the State’s population, besides stimulating allied sectors like handicrafts, horticulture and transport,” he said.
Mr Mir said: “tourism has considerable potential for growth and employment generation” and added development of quality infrastructure for tourists was necessary to further boost the sector.
“But at the same time since the State’s tourism sector is based, to a large extent, on our environment, it becomes necessary to preserve environment so as to sustain tourism in the long run,” the Minister said.
Considering the need to balance the twin objectives of infrastructure development and environment preservation, the tourism development authorities had been formed, he added.
“One of the primary objectives of the Development Authorities was to regulate development at tourist spots,” he said, adding that in respect of Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg, the regulatory bodies had already been constituted.
To put a check on unauthorized constructions, violations of guidelines under the Jammu and Kashmir Control of Building Operations Act, 1988 would be strictly dealt with, the Tourism Minister said.
“As and when any violation is brought to the notice of the Development Authorities, necessary actions including demolition of unauthorized constructions are taken,” the Minister said.
Acting on three Public Interest Litigations (PILs) on illegal constructions in the tourist spots of Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court is monitoring/supervising implementation of various related laws, he said.
Several orders have been issued by the High Court from time to time regarding violations of building permissions.
As per the High Court’s orders, the Master Plan for Pahalgam is being revised to correct its anomalies and a fresh Master Plan for Gulmarg is being prepared, he said.
Preparation of revised Master Plan for Pahalgam and a fresh plan for Gulmarg was at advanced stage and was likely to be finalised soon after completion of procedural formalities, he said.
The High Court has sought Action Taken Reports from the State Government on its directives regarding building law violations from time to time.
Regarding construction of buildings along roads, the Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Ribbon Development Act is in operation. The Minister said, according to the Act, “no building shall be erected alongside any road maintained by the Public Works Department (PWD) or any other department within such distance from the centre of the road as may be specified by a general or specific order by the Chief Engineer”.
The Act authorized the Chief Engineer of the PWD to demolish a building if it has been erected in contravention of the provisions.
Rafi Mir withdrew the Resolution after the reply of the Minister.
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