Editorial
|
|
|
| | Caught in the act | | Exposure of SASB’s illegal activity in Pahalgam reveals a serious problem needing immediate attention | | Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has needlessly exposed itself to suspicion that it had been augmenting facilities for pilgrims by violating ecological restrictions in and around Pahalgam. The disclosure made by a local daily, Kashmir Monitor, cited convincing details of how huge quantities of construction and other material were being ‘smuggled’ to various destinations along the yatra route between Nunwan base camp and the cave shrine beyond Sheesh Nag. Photographs showed recently constructed concrete structures in violation of the ban imposed by the High Court. The news report has not been refuted and it is now known that the transportation of materials, which used to be done during night hours, has also been stopped. What was the compulsion for the SASB to flout law and indulge in this kind of surreptitious activity is baffling.
The ban on construction in and around Pahalgam resort was imposed after the high court found that hoteliers and some other commercial establishments had been expanding their facilities in violations of restrictions specified in the master plan. A special watchdog panel has been set up to ensure compliance of the judicial order. Several unlawful constructions in the town and in its vicinity were demolished in the recent months.
SASB appears to be finding it hard to reconcile the diverse pulls and pressures exerted by the need for augmenting yatra facilities and the prevailing restrictions. The recent vague order of the Supreme Court in this connection might have impelled the Board to take the indefensible step of raising unauthorised structures and ferrying construction material by circumventing the law. The apex court has constituted a high-power committee to recommend proposals for providing adequate facilities to the growing number of pilgrims during the annual yatra. However, there is a conflict of purpose between the generally perceived objective of the Supreme Court’s direction and the restrictions imposed by the high court. The former obviously does not take into consideration the all-important ecological factor while the latter leaves no scope for making any exception where it comes to preserving the highly sensitive ecological balance of the area.
The SASB finds itself caught between the devil and the deep sea. Proper course would have been to go back to the Supreme Court and explain the ecological exigencies coming in its way. Year after year, pressure on Pahalgam ecology has been growing as the number of pilgrims has been swelling. Virtually, the volume of the pilgrimage as also its duration has acquired volatile sectarian/ political dimensions. Most of the large number of deaths of pilgrims during the just concluded annual yatra could have been averted if only the local authorities had been allowed to emulate the neighbouring Uttarakhand state and regulate the size and duration of the yatra. On the contrary, even the basic requirement of registration was flouted with impunity with the result that the SASB had really no idea of how many yatris were going up and down the high altitude mountainous route. It could not cope with the limitless rush. If the nature had not been merciful the toll might have been higher. Bad weather in the past has claimed far more human lives.
One thing needs to be emphasised with full force: The ecology of Pahalgam and its surroundings cannot be allowed to be destroyed for whatever reason. It is already under pressure and cannot withstand any more burden. The SASB has to think seriously about how to harmonise conflicting demands of the yatra and ecology. Violating law and circumventing restrictions is not the way out. It would also open the way for private hoteliers and other commercial property owners in Pahalgam to follow suite. Time has come to take a comprehensive look at the problem and work out a long term action plan that would satisfy all legitimate interests. |
|
|
|
|
Comment on this Story |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|