Govt departments oppose Army firing range in Gurez

Allotment of alternate site in Leh subject of Home department clearance

Several government departments have strongly opposed the setting up of the proposed field firing range in Gurez area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district citing serious consequences of any such move.
The state government is exploring possibilities of setting up field firing range (FFR) for Army’s artillery exercises after the army submitted a detailed proposal for the allotment of a huge chunk of land in Gurez Valley for this purpose.
Departments including PHE, Tourism, Forest, Wildlife, Executive Engineer Special Sub-Division Gurez and MLA Gurez have strongly opposed the army move and have written to government not to consider any such proposal.
Keeping in view the observations of the departments and MLA Gurez, the state government is contemplating to provide the FFR in Mandalthang (Durbuk) in Leh district.
The state government forwarded the case regarding establishment of FFR for Army in Leh to Commissioner Secretary Revenue on March 23 earlier this year. The official document, a copy of which lies with Kashmir POST, reveals that government has asked Commissioner Secretary and Revenue Department to consider the case for establishment of FFR “on area measuring 4,80,000 Kanals in Durbuk in proper consultation with the state Home department”.
Pertinent to mention, Divisional Commissioner Leh had communicated to state government on December 23, 2015 that the land under Khasra number 1803 situated in Madalthang Shayok in sub division Durbuk district Leh has been proposed for use as FFR for a period of five years.
As per the official documents, the necessary NOC has been received from the concerned MLA. The case, however, is still under consideration with the Home department. The government has called for a high-level meeting in this regard on June 27 (Monday).
Meanwhile, the proposal of Army for Gurez stands mooted following resentment shown by the government departments even as army is strongly pitching for it.
Official documents reveal that the department of PHE has observed that FFR in Gurez will have serious consequences vis-à-vis water bodies, spring sources, aquatic life etc.
“It is not feasible to relocate the FFR in Gurez as the habitations, water bodies, drinking water sources will come directly within the FFR and will directly pose a serious threat to water resources. The frequent explosions will disturb the water table feeding of various springs,” the PHE stated in its objections.
Similarly, the forest department has also shown reluctance in providing the no-objection certificate and has strongly opposed setting of FFR in the “eco-sensitive area”.
“The department is not in a position to provide NOC for the said FFR in the identified location keeping in view the importance of flora and fauna of Gurez Valley,” the forest department has conveyed.
The tourism department has objected to the idea of setting the proposed FFR in Gurez saying that the idea will undermine the importance of erstwhile silk route.
The department said Gurez is a grazing ground for hundreds of Gujjars and Bakarwals and also the home for endangered flora and fauna like hangul, musk deer, ibex, snow leopard, saussurea sacra, blue poppy etc.
“Over the years, the department has been projecting Gurez and Tulail as adventure destinations and basic infrastructure has been established in Gurez and establishment of infrastructure in Tulail is underway. Any kind of explosive activity shall render the area unsafe and will be detrimental to tourism,” the tourism department stressed.
MLA Gurez, Nazir Ahmed Khan has also been opposing the idea. He recently raised the issue in Legislative Assembly during the ongoing Budget session. Khan said it will affect the local population. “People (of Gurez) take cattle for grazing there (forests). Do you want them to stop? There will be agitation (if firing range is set-up there). Please take note of it,” he told the Assembly.
He has also written to government not to establish the FFR in his area, saying that it would affect the livelihood of common people.
In its reservations, the wildlife department has said firing and shelling can tell upon establishment of wildlife sanctuary, comprising various compartments, proposed by the wildlife advisory board.
The high-level meeting is aimed to discuss upon the reservations given by the various departments and to consider FFR in Leh district. The top brass officials of different departments concerning the issue are scheduled to take part in the meeting.