Court seeks details of total area of Gulmarg

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 3

Seeking details of the total area of the Gulmarg valley, including the built-up area, from the state Tourism Department, the J&K High Court has asked the authorities concerned to furnish particulars of the persons who were in illegal possession of land at the tourist resort in north Kashmir.

These directions were issued by a Division Bench, which was hearing a PIL wherein the court’s intervention was sought for safeguarding eco-sensitive areas of Gulmarg and Tangmarg from illegal constructions.

“The Commissioner Secretary to the Government, Tourism Department, will inform the court about the total area of the Gulmarg valley. He will also indicate in the report as to how much area as on date is built-up area,” the Bench comprising Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey said in its fresh orders.

It also directed the commissioner concerned to file an affidavit before the next date, explaining as to “how and in which manner” the retrieved land (from illegal encroachers) is to be protected by the state government and what steps would require to be taken in this behalf.

The court in its fresh orders has also sought from the CEO of the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) details about the persons who were in unauthorised occupation of the state land at the tourist resort, including the details of the land retrieved from their illegal possession.