High Court pulls up Gulmarg Development Authority
Meanwhile, the court directed Commissioner Secretary Tourism Department to file an affidavit detailing total area of Gulmarg Valley as well as its built-up area as on date.
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has directed the government to furnish details by June 10 about the encroachments done away with at world famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir.
Moreover, the Court sought information about the steps required to be taken to protect the retrieved land.
Passing directions on a Public Interest Litigation seeking to preserve environs of Gulmarg, a division bench of Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Justice Ali Muhammad Magrey directed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Gulmarg Development Authority to file an affidavit attesting all encroachments removed from the government land.
The CEO was also directed to give details about the persons who were in unauthorized occupation of the state land, how much land was retrieved from unauthorized occupants or encroachers and whether possession of the retrieved land was taken over.
“The CEO GDA shall also inform the court about the necessary entries which have been made in the revenue records in respect of land retrieved so far,” the bench said, reiterating its order prohibiting rising of any construction till the new master plan was in place.
Meanwhile, the court directed Commissioner Secretary Tourism Department to file an affidavit detailing total area of Gulmarg Valley as well as its built-up area as on date.
The officer was also directed to inform the court as to how and in which manner the retrieved land was to be protected and what steps would require to be taken in this behalf by the government.
On the plea by hoteliers and others seeking permission for repairs, the bench asked CEO GDA to provide a detailed information about the nature of the repairs required in each individual case as well as a report on stand of the statutory authority for grant or disapproval of permission.
In a separate direction, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests was directed to file an affidavit indicating the number and kind of trees as also their appropriate age standing in the Valley of Gulmarg.
The directions followed after CEO GDA in a compliance report apprised the court that notices were issued to such persons who are still in unauthorized occupation of the state land or have encroached the same.
Advocate General R A Jan while intervening submitted that in order to preserve the scenic beauty of Gulmarg appropriate decision is required to be taken in consultation with the experts for fencing of the retrieved land which, he said, will be in consonance with scenic beauty of the area.
The AG also submitted that the existing accommodation whether in private sector or in government sector required some minor repairs to make them suitable for accommodating the tourists.
