Sameer Ahmad
Anantnag, May 18: The construction of commercial concrete structures, including hotels and huts, in South Kashmir’s famed tourist destination of Pahalgam is allegedly continuing unchecked, Sources said on Monday.
Sources said that large-scale alleged illegal constructions are taking place in eco-sensitive areas, including Athnadan, Pahalgam.
The BOCA permissions are also being allegedly violated in areas bordering the Aru-Overa Wildlife Sanctuary, they added.
They said these constructions are being carried out without formal permissions, and that the Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) has virtually failed to enforce regulations and stop the violations.
Local stakeholders have expressed concern over the alleged lack of enforcement by the PDA in sensitive areas, Some stake holders alleged that prolonged postings of certain lower level employees may have contributed to weak enforcement of regulations .
They said the Pahalgam BOCA Permissions are also being violated with impunity. According to them, applicants who were granted permission only for repairs are instead reconstructing entire structures.
For over two decades, rampant illegal constructions in Pahalgam and adjoining areas have remained a subject of public debate.
Earlier this year, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, informed the J&K Assembly that 578 illegal constructions had been detected in tourist destinations across Jammu and Kashmir.
In Gulmarg, 21 illegal structures were identified, of which 20 were sealed and one demolished.
In Pahalgam, 28 illegal constructions were reported, with 13 sealed and action underway in the remaining cases.
After a rigorous exercise, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court approved the Pahalgam Master Plan-2032 and directed the Pahalgam Development Authority to permit construction activities strictly in accordance with the Master Plan.
However, residents of Pahalgam claim that since 2023, the tourist resort has witnessed a surge in illegal constructions and repeated violations of the Pahalgam Master Plan.
Representational pic
