Srinagar: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has directed the Deputy Solicitor General of India (DSGI) to disclose the expanse of land earmarked for the Army Authority (AA) and that of the civilian authority at the hill resort of Sonamarg.
Taking cognisance of the fact that grave ecological imbalance has been created in the fragile hill resort of Sonamarg, the High Court had a few years ago ordered blanket ban on the constructions in the area.
It noted that Sonamarg’s pristine nature, Wildlife Park, Thajiwas glacier and other biodiversity was on the precipice. However, after requests by the Army authorities the court this spring allowed defence forces to go for fresh constructions as well as repairs of its structures and barracks.
Reports stemming from the area say that additional constructions are squeezing the zone already under pressure of encroachments and trespass.
As the matter regarding the 2011 PIL wherein the court had taken cognisance on its own motion on Wednesday was picked up by a division bench, it directed the DSGI, T M Shamsi to apprise it of “and also to disclose how much land has been earmarked for Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) and how much land has been earmarked for the Army Authority (AA).”
Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Puneet Gupta perused “the compliance to the order dated 03.06.2024 contending therein that the SDA has taken cognizance against the violators”.
It asked Nadeem Qadri, Amicus Curiae in the matter, to file detailed suggestions, if any, required in addition to what he has already submitted so far. It also asked Mohsin Qadri, Additional Advocate General to submit a short synopsis with regard to the issues involved in this PIL.
The judges further directed the respondents to consider the applications filed by the applicants seeking permission for renovation/repair and construction in terms of the direction passed by the court in the PIL and also file status of those applications on or before the next date.
In respect of constructions by tourism players in the area, the court in 2023 directed the Chief Executive Officer SDA to ensure that no fresh constructions are carried out with or without permission.
“In case it is brought to our notice that any fresh construction with or without permission from the competent authority is raised, by anybody in the SDA, the Chief Executive Officer, Sonamarg Development Authority, shall be personally responsible and shall be proceeded for contempt of this court,” ordered the court.
