Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 16: The High Court today directed the authorities to report the court about the Master Plan of eco-fragile Gulmarg as also the status of STPs of Hotels and demarcation of its forest land by next date of hearing.
Division Bench of Chief Justice Badar Durez Ahmad and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey hearing a PIL on preservation of tourist resort from all illegal constructions and pollutants directed the authorities to file the affidavit by next date indicating the status of Master Plan for Gulmarg as also the local area of Gulmarg Development Authority.
Court during the proceedings of the case said that the issue of preparing the master plan for Gulmarg has been under consideration since May 2013 and court had directed that master plan be prepared and finalized within three months. “Over four years have gone by but the master plan is still in place”, court observed.
In the month of March this year, the Chief Secretary of the State was directed to file an affidavit giving the status of the Master Plan.
The affidavit has been filed, stating therein that the Master Plan will be placed before next Cabinet meeting. Thereafter the Master Plan will be adopted. “We hope that next Cabinet meeting takes places within two weeks from today”, CJ and Justice Magrey said.
In order to save the resort from pollution, court directed the State Pollution Control Board to file its status report indicating the present position and functioning of STPs in all hotels in Gulmarg. “It shall also indicate in the status report whether there is any plan for setting up of sewerage system in Gulmarg” adding with “Status report shall also indicate quality of water in streams which are flowing in Gulmarg”, Court to PCB.
Reiterating its earlier direction about the ban on use of plastic or polythene in and around the resort court directed for report by PCB and GDA as to whether any plastic or polythene are being used or not and more importantly, court said, discarded in Gulmarg area.
Court also sought details about the maintaining of garbage and waste disposal generated in the resort and directed the authorities to indicate it clearly in its status report within 2 weeks.
Court directed the counsel appearing on behalf of Forest Department to file an affidavit indicating in the affidavit as to whether the entire forest area falling within the limits of GDA has been demarcated and secured or not.
“He shall also clearly indicate whether there is any part of forest which is encroached and whether there is any unauthorized felling of trees taking place in Gulmarg. Affidavit be filed within 2 weeks”, DB said.
To inform and explain the court about the ground realities of Gulmarg, court directed the CEO of GDA and Member Secretary of PCB to remain presently personally before the court on next date.
Court said advocate Tawheed Ahmad shall make a visit to Gulmarg and take pictures whether any encroachment or unauthorized construction or dumping of garbage takes place in the area.
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