In blatant violation of the prescribed norms and regulations, the picturesque spot Sonmarg has been vandalized. In an exclusive disclosure shared by Human Watch International N.G.O with The Kashmir Scenario, has revealed how the menace of illegal constructions have vandalized the elegant Sonmarg Area and how Sonmarg Development Authority ‘s ( SDA) alleged inefficient and corrupt practices have rotten this elegant place. The said disclosure got unearthed after a RTI was filed by Human Watch International (NGO).
According to the RTI shared with The Kashmir Scenario many glaring instances of the gross violation facets have been stated by Human Watch International in its 3 page report which is as under:
Case I:
The name of the violator – Shah Jehan Gojer S/O: Abdullah R/O: Goniwan Kangan , Place of Violation – Top of Gadkul at Sonmarg, Details of violation – In no construction Zone, double storied hotel constructed on state land and Forest Land in Gross violation of the Master Plan of SDA. CEO Development Authority grabbed amount in lacs in allowing this unauthorized hotel to come up.
Case II:
The name of the violator – Wazir S/O: Nassar Gojer R/O: Ganiwan Kangan, Place of Violation – Top of Gadkul at Sonmarg, Details of violation – unauthorized hotel constructed on State Land plus property Land by giving huge bribes to CEO of the authority.
Case III:
The name of the violator – Ghulam Mohammad Wani S/O: Ghulam Ahmad R/O: Kangan, Place of Violation –In fronts of Development Authority main office at Sonmarg, Details of violation – Unauthorized constructed Restaurant in prohibited area after having allegedly offered huge amount to CEO of the Development Authority as per the said report shared by Human Watch International (NGO) to Kashmir Scenario.
Case IV:
The name of the violator – Farooq Hafiz S/O: Mohammad Maqbool R/O: Kangan, Place of Violation – Sonmarg, Details of violation – Unauthorized habitations raised played havoc with approved site plan hand in glove with CEO Sonmarg in destroying the master plan allegedly in exchange of huge corruption for CEO Sonmarg Development Authority as per the said report shared by Human Watch International (NGO) to Kashmir Scenario.
Even big fishes seem to be involved in this mayhem as is evident from case V.
Case V:
The name of the violator – Mohammad Yousuf Bhat Addl. Advocate General J&K R/O: Pulwama, Place of Violation – Sonmarg, Details of violation – Unauthorized number of huts under construction. A joint venture between Shri Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, Addl. Advocate General and Shri Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, Chief Execution Officer Sonmarg Development Authority purchase 12 Kanals of Land with CEO Mohammad Yousuf Bhat as silent partner.
Pertinently, there are other cases of glaring violations as well.
There are damaging realities governing the inefficiency of Mohammad Yousuf Bhat (K.A.S) presently posted as Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O), Sonmarg Development Authority, The Kashmir Scenario has accessed a government order issued by General Administration Department ( Vigilance) dated 07.09.2009 states that the investigation of the case has revolved that the accused Sh. Muzaffar Iqbal, then Deputy Director , Social Welfare Deptt, Kashmir acting in league with other accused public servants also appointed beneficiary Sh. Gulzar Ahmad Bhat another brother of the accused Sh. Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, then Dist. Social Welfare Officer, Srinagar as Jr. Assistant, vide order no. SWK-61 of 1998 without competence in gross violations of recruitment rules and without inducing competition; and
The order further states –“Whereas, it is further alleged that the appointment order issued by accused Sh.Muzaffar Iqbal, then Deputy Director, Social Welfare Department, Kashmir in favor of beneficiary Sh. Gulzar Ahmad Bhat real brother of accused Sh. Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, then Director Social Welfare Officer, (current CEO SDA) Srinagar was processed by accused Sh. Masood-ul-Hassan, then Asstt Director (Admn) Social Welfare Director, Kashmir (now retd); and
Whereas, the Government after considering the records and evidence collected in the case by the investigating agency and applying in mind to the facts and circumstances of the case is satisfied that prima facia case for commission of offences punishable u/s 5(1) (d) r/w see 5(2) JK PC Act, 2006 and sec 120-B RPC is established against the accused public servants for which they should be prosecuted.”
Interestingly, a recent RTI filed by the Human Watch has raised many sensational queries as to whether the State Government in GAD sanctioned prosecution in case FIR No.41/2003 against an inborn corrupt officer , Mohammad Yousuf Bhat (K.A.S) presently posted as Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O) Sonmarg Development Authority, for making illegal appointment of his brothers in Social welfare Department , while said Mohammad Yousuf Bhat as Assistant commissioner Development , Anantnag, Kashmir is involved in the infamous Panchayat Ghar electrification case, the cognizance of which stands taken by State Vigilance organization and State Accountability Commission.
Pertinently, even the present state Governor N.N. Vohra is shocked over the messy state of affairs hurting beauty of Sonmarg. Recently in a function while castigating the state government for its failure to check menacing Master Plan violations in Kashmir, Governor N.N Vohra stated mushrooming of unplanned and illegal constructions is taking toll on the Valley’s scenic beauty. He said the state government should initiate immediate measures to check the menace of illegal constructions to save the Valley from further destruction.
During my recent visit to Sonmarg, I was shocked to see number of concrete structures coming up near water bodies and rivers. If the authorities don’t act immediately to check the menace of illegal constructions, Kashmir will soon turn into a concrete jungle,” Vohra said at the valedictory session of 2-day Al-Khuddam Tourism Conclave at the SKICC.
He said the illegal constructions are not only detrimental for planned growth, but also prove disastrous for the environment.
One need to bear in mind that after Gulmarg and Pahalgam, Sonmarg is the most popular tourist destination in J&K. Sona means GOLD and Marg means MEADOW. So the name Sonmarg gives rise to The Three Sisters (Kashmir). In its vicinity lies the great Himalayan glaciers of Kashmir Valley namely Kolhoi Glacier and Machoi Glacier with some peaks of above 5000 meters: Sirbal Peak, Kolhoi Peak, Amaranth Peak and Machoi Peak. Sonmarg an alpine valley is situated at the bank of Nallah Sindh, 87 km north-east from Srinagar, it is a popular tourist destination, nestled within the imposing Himalayan peaks. It lies at an altitude of 2800 meters above sea level and its vandalization by illegal structures can worsen and alter the tourism circuit of Kashmir in a bad manner.