*Coercive steps needed to protect world famous water body
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, May 29: World-famous Gharana wetland in R S Pura tehsil is shrinking at a rapid pace due to the encroachments and apathy on the part of all the concerned authorities and if timely remedial measures are not taken on war footing basis the wetland will completely vanish in a couple of years.
These observations have been made by the Court Commissioners Advocates Gagan Basotra, M A Bhat and Dhiraj Choudhary, who inspected the wetland on the directions of the Division Bench of State High Court dated March 30, 2017, in their report submitted today.
“The Gharana wetland, which is situated at a short distance from the India-Pakistan border in R S Pura tehsil, as per the Revenue officials approximately comprise of around 97 kanals and 17 marlas but the wetland which existed on spot during the visit of Court Commissioners comprised of only 10 to 15 kanals with a depth of two to three feet. But during rainy season the area of wetland extends to around 60 kanals”, reads the report, the copy of which is available with EXCELSIOR.
Stating that the Gharana wetland is in a pitiable condition, the Court Commissioners have pointed out that the wetland is shrinking continuously and at a fast pace due to encroachments and non-serious approach of all the concerned authorities who otherwise are supposed to initiate steps for its conservation.
“The wetland, which is world famous for migratory birds, is on the verge of extinction and would completely vanish from the planet in a couple of years if remedial measures are not taken on war footing basis”, the report said, adding “the wetland is being continuously encroached upon and no effective steps have been taken by the officials of the Revenue Department to demarcate the wetland as requested by the Wild Life Department a number of times”.
Pointing towards the papers supplied by the Registry of the High Court in terms of order dated March 30, 2017, the Court Commissioners said that the then Sub-Divisional Magist-rate (SDM) R S Pura Sheetal Nanda vide communication number SDMR/ Gharana/ 267 /2009 dated July 30, 2009 addressed to the Divisional Commissioner Jammu had given the existing position of the Gharana wetland. However, the communication has not been taken seriously by the offices of the Divisional Commissioner Jammu and Deputy Commissioner Jammu.
Stressing the need to implement on priority basis the valuable recommendations made by the then SDM, the Court Commissioners said that various status reports filed by the Divisional Commissioner Jammu and other Revenue officials do not adequately deal with the report/recommendations of the then SDM R S Pura which could have assisted the High Court in passing effective orders in regard to the issues pertaining to the Gharana wetland.
The Commissioners are of the opinion that Gharana wetland has to be demarcated on a urgent basis as pointed out by the then SDM and consequent proceedings under the Land Acquisition Act have to be taken. “The Gharana wetland is recorded as a Shamlat Deh in the revenue record as such the land holders of the village have proportionate interest and they have to be compensated adequately”, they said.
In the report, the Court Commissioners have noted with serious concern that SDM and Tehsildar, who were present during the visit, were asked to provide revenue record along with factual details of the wetland in order to facilitate them to prepare the report but these officials failed to furnish the information till the submission of report to the High Court today.
“Since the implementation of the recommendations of the then SDM R S Pura is likely to take time which are long time measures, some short terms measures have to be taken at the earliest in order to preserve the wetland from extinction in the coming years”, the Court Commissioners have stressed in the report.
The Court Commissioners have recommended establishment of Police Post at the Gharana wetland which would assist the officals of the Wild Life Department to take various measures on spot for preserving the wetland. “The Police Post would also help the official of the subordinate revenue agency to demarcate the land in terms of the report of the then SDM R S Pura”, they said.
“Wild Life Department manages only a small area of about 20 to 25 kanals of wetland as against 97.17 kanals as such Revenue Department should be directed to demarcate and delineate the boundaries of 97.17 kanals so that the Wild Life Department can manage the area as per the Wild Life Management practices”, the report said, adding “during dry season as on today the villagers try to encroach the wetland by throwing garbage and extending the boundaries of the agricultural land thus making it difficult for the officials of Wild Life Department to take cognizance and initiate necessary penal action under the Wild Life Act”.
Stating that the wetland is being drained with waste water of nearby households, dumping of cow dung and agricultural waste etc, the Court Commissioners said that concerned Block Development Officer should be directed to construct drains and soaking pits in order to prevent waste water from entering the wetland.
“Coercive measures are required to be taken by the district administration in-coordination with the police agency so that the efforts and management of the Wild Life Department in protecting the wetland is not negated”, the report said.
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