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Proposal to bring 'Yanner' under PDA ambit gathers dust

SHABIR AHMAD. Dated: 4/22/2013 12:12:09 AM

Illegal constructions mar beauty of the scenic spot

SRINAGAR, Apr 20:Despite the court directive banning the constructions at 'Yanner', a
picturesque spot 7 kms down to Pahalgam, the illegal constructions of huts and guests continue to come up there marring the charm and scenic beauty of the area.
Though the proposal to bring the spot under the ambit of Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) has been sent to the government more than a year back but the sources and locals allege that the proposal is deliberately made to gather dust to give time to the politically influential and rich people to purchase the land and come up with the constructions there.
Following the ban imposed by the high court on the constructions in Pahalgam, many influential and rich
people shifted there focus to 'Yanner' for its fast emerging as the favourite spot for the tourists. Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Anantnag, two years back observing the unabated constructions at the
spot as a threat not only to the 'Lidder river' but to the scenic beauty of the area as well imposed ban on any sort of construction there. The judge in his order had strictly directed the PDA, revenue
and fisheries authorities to implement the order in letter and spirit.
However, locals allege that the huts and guest houses continue to come up at the spot in violation of the court orders.
"Most of the constructions have come up almost in the middle of the Lidder river posing threat to its crystal clear waters. Since the 1 km patch of the Lidder bank has already been converted into a hutment
area now the influential people have started constructions on the agriculture land next to Lidder river," said the locals. They said that most of the huts that have come up or coming up in the area illegally
belong to the top bureaucrats or politicians.
"The authorities having been directed by the court to implement its order with regard to the
ban on constructions in the area are in deep nexus with the land mafia and other influential people making illegal constructions in the area," said a local, Imtiyaz Ahmad. Official sources said that the
proposal sent by the former chief executive officer, PDA, Mir Altaf Ahmad, to bring the spot under the ambit of development authority is deliberately made to gather dust to give time to the land mafia and
other people to purchase the land there and construct the huts. "The delay is deliberately caused in issuing the notification with regard to bringing the spot under PDA as the planners want all their
favourites to reach the spot before it comes under jurisdiction of PDA," sources said.
Expressing concern over the unabated constructions in the area, tourism minister, G A Mir, said, "Yes the scenic spot is being turned into a hutment zone not only at the cost of its fragile environment and charm but also at the cost of the crystal clear waters of Lidder river." The minister also admitted the deliberate delay in issuing notification in bringing the area under PDA. "The proposal
recommending the area be brought under PDA is gathering dust. I also suspect the hand of officials in the delay in issuing the notification in this regard so that more and more people could have a chance to
rush to the area for construction purposes. I admit that the charm of the scenic spot has been marred but what can I do until the area does not come under our jurisdiction," minister said.
He, however, said that despite the area not coming under his jurisdiction he has issued directions to deputy commissioner not to allow fresh constructions in the area. "After darbar move I will personally visit
the spot and call a meeting of officers directing them not to allow any constructions in the area. I will also see as to what happened to the proposal that has been sent to the government," minister added.