But one year later things seem to have changed, at least for influential persons and religious organizations. The Kashmir Monitor can reveal that illegal construction is going on in full swing just outside the Dachigam National Park in violation of all the rules and regulations.
Sources say that government officials, charity organizations have started building massive structures just near the Dachigam Natioanl Park entrance. Not only is this a green belt zone but it is also the catchment area for the Dachigam National Park.
The Forest Conservation Act 1980 clearly restricts and regulates the de-reservation of forests or use of forest land for non-forest purposes without the prior approval of Central Government. For any construction to be taken up in the green belt a no objection certificate from the state government is required.
Sources told The Kashmir Monitor that none of the buildings that have come up outside Dachigam National Park have any clearances from the state government or from the Lakes and Waterways Department (LWDA) that monitors the green belt. The green belt is also known and the ‘Environmentally Fragile Zone' (EFZ).
The Supreme Court of India in its judgments has also barred any construction outside the National Parks and Wildlife Reserves. The Apex Court has also barred any construction in the buffer zones of these parks and sanctuaries.
“Definitely as per law no structure should have come up outside Dachigam but those who have enough influence and direct access to the higher echelons of power can go ahead", says a top Wildlife official. The official added that the area outside Dachigam National Park was yet to be notified as a buffer zone, but it was definitely a green belt area as far as the Master Plan of Lakes and Waterways was concerned." It is sheer violation of the master plan. LWDA and Ministry for UEED should have acted against it long time back", he added. Read the full report here.
Source: by Special Correspondent, Kashmir Monitor, Srinagar.
