DC approached for removal of encroachments, demarcation
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Dec 22: Finally, the process has been set into motion for restoration of original area of world famous Gharana wetland reserve near International Border in R S Pura tehsil with Wildlife Department placing indent for acquisition of 1100 kanals of private land and formally approaching Deputy Commissioner Jammu for removal of encroachments and demarcation of 393 kanals of State land.
The Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmed and Justice Sanjeev Kumar vide order dated December 12, 2017 had directed the Government to consider the possibility of acquiring proprietorship land which would be necessary for preserving the wetland of Gharana.
In pursuance of these directions followed by the Forest Department Letter No. FST/ LIT/ 241/ 214 dated December 20, 2017 and Chief Wildlife Warden’s Letter No. WLP/ Legal/ 195 dated December 21, 2017, the Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Dr V S Senthil Kumar sent a communication to the Deputy Commissioner Jammu mentioning that the original notification of Gharana wetland reserve is 200 acres which comprises of wetland area, State land, Shamlat-Deh and proprietary land.
The Deputy Commissioner was apprised that in order to preserve and develop the Gharana wetland reserve, an area of 1100 kanals of proprietary land adjacent to the wetland and State land (Shamlat-Deh) is required to be developed for preservation and management of water body. “Accordingly, the indent is placed for acquisition of the private land”, reads the communication of Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), the copy of which is available with EXCELSIOR.
The Deputy Commissioner has further been requested that 213 kanals of land already under wetland be got demarcated and handed over to the Wildlife Protection Department after removal of encroachments. “As per the revenue record, 180 kanals of State land shall also be transferred to the Wildlife Department after proper demarcation and removal of encroachments”, the communication further reads.
Through the communication, the Deputy Commissioner has been asked to hand over to the Wildlife Department encumbrance free land for preservation and development of Gharana wetland reserve in a time bound manner so that further shrinking of the world famous water body is checked.
When the matter came up for hearing today, Additional Advocate General Rohit Kapoor apprised the Division Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmed and Justice Sanjeev Kumar that Wildlife Protection Department has acted strictly in compliance with the previous order of the highest court of J&K whereby direction was issued for exploring the possibilities for acquiring land for proper preservation of Gharana wetland reserve.
Accordingly, the communication of Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Jammu was placed on the record. However, due to paucity of time matter could not be heard in detail and now it will come up for further hearing on coming Wednesday.
“Now, the ball is in the court of Deputy Commissioner Jammu”, sources said, adding “with the acquisition of 1100 kanals of proprietary land and removal of encroachments on 393 kanals of land followed by demarcation the Wildlife Department would be in a position to restore the original area of the Gharana wetland and its catchment region”.
It is pertinent to mention here that on last date of hearing the Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmed, while issuing direction for exploring possibilities to acquire land to restore the original area of Gharana wetland, had clearly stated that this is the only way to preserve and develop Gharana wetland, which is of state, national and international importance.
“Since highest court of the State is monitoring the case now, it is hoped that this time Revenue Department will not show any more slackness and meet the requirement projected by the Wildlife Protection Department”, sources said.
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