Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 25: High Court has directed against any construction in the eco-fragile Bangus valley in north Kashmir’s Kuwpara district.
Hearing the Public Interest Litigation filed by an advocate Mir Umar, a resident of Kupwara showing his deep concern about the protection of the natural beauty and environment Bangus valley as the increasing footfall of tourists in the Valley in the last couple of years and is seeking Master Plan and sustainable development for the resort.
The Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Rajnesh Oswal issued notice to the Government. Syed Musaib, Dy. AG, accepted notice on behalf of the respondent-Government in open court and sought time to file response to the contentions as raised in the PIL.
“He seeks and is granted four weeks’ time for filing a response. In the meantime, the respondents, are directed not to allow raising any concrete structure in the Bangus valley without leave of this Court”, DB directed.
It is contended that the entire land covering Bungus is forest land and has not been transferred to LBDDA. The authority is not able to prepare a master plan for the development of Bungus. The road constructed a year ago is haphazardly through green pastures without any master plan.
The PIL mentions that in absence of the master plan the green valley of Bungus is under threat of haphazard constructions and allotments for commercial purposes which can prove fatal for the natural beauty of Bungus and its meadows, trees and streams.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
