After receiving a report from the Court Commissioner appointed by an order of the Stat High Court on constructional activities in Gulmarg, the Bench of the High Court has passed very strict orders to all concerned aiming at completely stopping all constructional or repair work at the world famous Ski resort in Gulmarg of North Kashmir. Obviously, the order has come after the court was examining various complaints alleging construction and repairing work carried at the spot and trucks and load carriers transporting constructional material to the site. Making no secret of its absolute displeasure on the ground situation in the light of the report submitted to it, the court has cracked the whip and ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla and the Police Superintendent concerned besides the Gulmarg Development Authority to immediately stop all repair and constructional works in the Ski resort area failing which the law will take its course. Court’s displeasure can be gauged from the fact that it has ordered immediate transfer of the Executive Engineer of Gulmarg Development Authority, and appointment of another engineer in his place within a week.
The great surprise is how did the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) permit trucks and load carriers to carry building material to the spot when the same has been disallowed? How could the CEO of GDA close his eyes to gross violation of the orders of the court or the administrative authorities? It is unfortunate that responsible people lack aesthetic sense of appreciating the pristine purity of a world class Ski resort. Nowhere in the world do we find any construction raised close to a Ski resort. The beauty of a Ski resort lies in its pristine purity of snow-clad mountains without a tree or a bush or a blade of grass because everything is submerged under thick sheets of frozen snow. Vandalizing of tourist resorts in all the three region of the State has happened because of connivance of officials with contractors and individuals motivated by self-aggrandizement. Pahalgam, once famous for its pristine purity and scenic beauty and enchanting forest cover has been bereft of much of its charm. It has become a very congested place because of expansion of commercial activities. In the case of Gulmarg Ski-resort, if the court had not moved in time and taken strong measures, it would have degenerated in quality and beauty and then the Ski lovers would no more like to visit it. We should be thankful to the High Court Bench for issuing strict instructions to all concerned to keep away from spoiling the Ski resort in Gulmarg and causing damage to State’s tourist industry. Court’s seriousness can be understood from the fact that it has not remained content with the passing of the orders but has also declared that it will monitor the implementation of its instructions. For that purpose it has asked the Court Commissioner and the Deputy Registrar of the High Court to jointly visit the Ski-resort on a holiday after fixing up between them and conduct on spot survey whether the orders of the court are implemented in letter and in spirit. Thus the court has left nothing to chance.
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