Natural beauty at risk
MASROOR AHMAD
SRINAGAR: Despite a ban issued by the Jammu and Ladakh High Court on construction activities in the eco-fragile zone of Sonmarg area of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, the region continues to witness a surge in construction, transforming the once pristine area into a concrete jungle. The Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) has been making efforts to curb illegal construction, but the activities persist unabated. Reliable sources indicate that vehicles transporting construction materials to Sonamarg are allegedly using permits meant for Ladakh and Kargil to bypass checks at the Shutkadi Toll post. This tactic allows for the continued influx of materials into Sonamarg despite the ban. “If immediate steps are not taken to halt these illegal construction activities, Sonmarg’s natural beauty will soon be overshadowed by buildings,” warned a concerned local. The SDA has issued notices to stop illegal construction, but these have largely been ignored, resulting in significant damage to the area’s aesthetics. Sources reveal that certain hotels continue construction activities, yet the authorities have not taken decisive action against them. The lack of enforcement contrasts sharply with the claims of efforts to preserve Sonamarg’s natural beauty. In Sonamarg village, several individuals initially claimed they were building residential houses, only for these to later be revealed as hotels and guest houses. This trend extends beyond the main area of Sonmarg, with the village itself turning into a concrete jungle, the sources said.
The situation follows a landmark decision in August 2017, when the Jammu and Kashmir High Court banned all construction in the tourist resort of Sonmarg.
Locals are now appealing to Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene personally and address the ongoing illegal construction, which continues to produce a big threat to the natural beauty of Sonmarg.
CEO of the Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA), stated that when illegal construction is identified, the first step is to issue a notice, followed by demolition if necessary. The CEO mentioned that a spot inspection was conducted in Sonamarg village, and illegal structures will be demolished soon. He emphasized that there is a High Court order in Sonamarg, and under no circumstances will the demolition operations be halted. Additionally, he noted that the checkpoint at Shutkadi, Sonamarg, is designated solely for the passage of construction materials heading to Kargil and Leh.
He added that he has issued strict instructions to SDA employees at the checkpoint to prevent any construction materials from being transported to Sonamarg. Any violations of this order will result in the seizure of the materials.
