Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, July 28: The High Court today sought status report from the authorities on various issues of Gulmarg tourist resort and directed them to submit it by or before next date.
Court while taking serious note of throwing huge quantity of garbage in and around the Gulmarg directed the Commissioner/Secretary Tourism and Executive Officer of Municipal Committee to deal with the issue immediately.
The direction has been passed when recent photographs taken have been placed before the court which reveals huge quantity of garbage in Tangmarg, Baba-Reshi, near CEO GDA’s residential quarter and other areas Gulmarg.
Secretary Tourism has been shown these photographs and has been directed to sort out the problem with Executive Officer in coming days, as they are responsible, Court said.
Besides Secretary Tourism, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Chief Town Planner, DFO Demarcation, DFO Tangmarg, Regional Wild Life Warden were present in the Court in terms of previous directions. CEO GDA was not present as court has been informed that the present incumbent has been transferred. Court, however, took serious note of non-presence of Commissioner /Secretary Health as he was also supposed to be present before the bench as directed. Court directed the AG to get him here within 15 minutes or else orders will follow.
“We are restraining ourselves for taking action against him as the Advocate General as assured his presence”, Division Bench of Chief Justice Badar Durez Ahmad and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey said.
With regard to demarcation of forest area, Court has been apprised by DFO demarcation that the same has been done only demarcation pillars are to be fixed. Court directed the demarcation pillars be placed in coordination with GDA at an earlier and sought the report about the exercise by next date.
Court has also enquired from concerned official about the bio-diversity in Gulmarg sanctuary. Court directed the Regional Wildlife warden to create a website about the bio-diversity in the sanctuary for general public as also submit the census of bio-diversity in the sanctuary on next date.
About the function of Cable Car (Gandola) in the resort, Court has been informed that the same passes through some forest area and faces tall trees but it has been made operational on trial basis.
Court asked the authorities whether it is safe to run it through the forest area and make a statement. Court directed the CCC officials that all safety measures will be taken.
About the identification of villages which comes under the jurisdiction of GDA, court has been informed that out 26 villages, 19 villages have been marked and remaining villages would be identified by next date.
Court has also been informed about the first aid facilities in the resort. Court directed the authorities to place one more first aid facility at Kangdoori.
With regard to draft Master Plan court has been informed that Group of Ministers for the said purpose is likely to meet in coming days. PCB has been directed to place the water quality report in Gulmarg on next date.
On the application of Army for renovation of apartments, court directed the BOCA GDA to inspect on the spot. GDA has rejected the Army’s plea on the ground that complete documents for renovation has not been submitted before it.
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