Though PDP leaders during the heydays of NC-Congress coalition rule used to cry much over the illegal constructions and encroachments in Srinagar and major townships of Kashmir including tourist hot spots like Gulmarg and Pahalgam , but the very leaders of PDP now occupying ministerial positions overtly and covertly try to restrain the concerned authorities from contemplating action again those who have raised illegal structures by encroaching upon the land areas and the roads in violation of standing rules. Tue that Government in yesteryears did nothing to regulate the constructions and consequently all the government agencies failed to check violations forcing the local residents to move the courts but now the ministers owing allegiance to PDP who tended to be complainants in yesteryears are restraining authorities from contemplating action against the land and road encroachers on charges of raising illegal structures in Srinagar and some major townships of Kashmir valley including tourist hot spots like Gulmarg and Pahalgam. Unfortunate it is that despite repeated warnings from the courts blatant violations of constructions went on disfiguring the landscape of Srinagar city the summer capital of the state and some historical major townships of Kashmir including Gulmarg and Pahalgam the world famous tourist hot spots of Kashmir Valley. Though some newly constructed hotel buildings were demolished and a few were sealed in Gulmarg and Pahalgam on the stringent directions of courts during the reign of erstwhile Omar Abdullah led NC-Congress coalition government but same is not sufficient enough for the preservations of tourist hot spots in Kashmir valley. The courts went to the extent of directing the government agencies to declare some of the areas as green zones where neither the government nor the private land owners are allowed to undertake any kind of constructions.
Better for the government to wake up from deep slumber and come forward with comprehensive plans for the development of Gulmarg and Pahalgam the two world famous tourist hot spots of Kashmir valley.
However in a very sorry state of affairs the concerned government agencies despite categorical directions from courts on stopping illegal construction could not impose a blanket ban on the constructions and opening of new hotel buildings. Now when the courts have directed Chief Executive Officers of Pahalgam and Gulmarg Development Authorities to clear encroachments from the government and forest lands and file status reports to the former, the government has no other option but to implement the directions of courts in letter and spirit. But the demolition process is yet to begin on this front. Still it is not twoo for the government to enforce the rule of law in the tourist hot spots of Kashmir valley for the restoration of their pristine glory in the larger interests of the promotion of tourism and tourist activities. Better for the government to wake up from deep slumber and come forward with comprehensive plans for the development of Gulmarg and Pahalgam the two world famous tourist hot spots of Kashmir valley.
