STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Patnitop Development Authority on Monday banned cooking, lighting fire and throwing garbage waste in the forest area of Patnitop tourist spot in Udhampur district.
“It has been observed that a large number of tourists visiting Patnitop area cook food etc. by lighting fire or burning gas stove in the dense forest areas at number of locations which is detrimental to the forest eco-system and can also result into major forest fire which could lead to major tragedy,” read an order issued by the Chief Executive Officer, PDA, Sher Singh.
It added, “tourists also carry banned items like plastic, crates and other plastic items etc. which they throw in the open forest area or burn them there which is also proving detrimental to forest eco-system, can catch fire and is also creating environmental hazards, pollution, choking of lanes/drains besides, creating lot of public nuisances for the tourists and others visiting this health resort,”
“Whereas, Section 26 (b) of Indian Forest Act 1927 prohibits/ban “Any person who sets fire to a reserved forest, or, in contravention of any rules made by the State in this behalf, kindles any fire, or leaves any fire burning, in such manner as to endanger such forest” does not allow such kind of activities,” it stated and added, “Whereas Supreme Court of India in the I.A. No.401 dated February 14, 2000 has also prohibited any non-forestry activities which are not part of management plan. In the sequel area within radius of 1.5 KM (aerial distance) from Main Chowk Patnitop stands declared as local area of Patnitop where all non-forestry activities are prohibited.”
“This act of blatant use of fire in the environmentally sensitive zone & world-famous health resort is creating huge public nuisance, damaging natural resources/wealth and bringing bad name to the resort as well as Authority/Tourism Department,” it stated and added “Now, therefore in exercise of powers conferred upon me under Section 133 Cr. P.C., I Sher Singh, KAS, Executive Magistrate 1st Class (Chief Executive Officer, Patnitop Development Authority) do impose complete ban on cooking, lighting of fire or burning of gas stoves, throwing of any kind of waste in the forest areas of Patnitop and around.”
“Divisional Forest Officer Forest Division Udhampur, Divisional Forest Officer Forest Division Batote and Deputy Director Forest Protection Force Batote shall implement this order in letter & spirit. They shall make specific deployment of officers/officials of Forest/Forest Protection Force with name, designation & mobile Numbers at specific locations & assign them responsibility accordingly so that goal of fire free forest is achieved Khilafwarzi Wing of PDA, Officer(s)/Officials of Forest Division Udhampur & Batote and Forest Protection Force Batote shall conduct special drive on regular basis (with concerned Police Authorities to keep a strict vigil on such type of activities in and around Patnitop area,” it added.
SHO Police Station Kud and Police Station Batote shall provide necessary police assistance for implementation of the order, it stated and added that Tourist Police deployed at Patnitop shall monitor the campaign the campaign and take action against violators. Violators shall be booked under the provision of law & fine to the tune of Rs.1000 to Rs. 3000 shall be recovered from the violators into effect with immediate.
