SrinagarIn a bid to prevent entry of construction material and polythene to Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Thursday directed installation of CCTV cameras on toll and check posts leading towards the world famous ski-resort.
A division bench of Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmad and Justice Ali Mohammad passed the directions after being informed by advocate Tawheed Ahmad Sofi, amicus curie in the PIL, that despite ban, the construction was going on within the limits of the resort.
The division bench directed the Chief Executive Officer (GDA) to ensure that the cameras were installed so that the entry of construction material, plastic bags and polythene can be prevented into the resort.
Regarding the finalization of Master Plan, Chief Town Planner submitted that the same awaits cabinet approval.
Subsequently, the court directed the Government to inform it about the finalization of Draft Master Plan by next date of hearing in the PIL.
It also directed the authorities to ensure that non-biodegradable plastic do not enter into Gulmarg where it has been already banned.
The advocate General informed the court that staff at toll post Tangmarg checks the entry of plastic. Besides, the highest law officer of the state informed that there are two check posts, one at Baba-Reshi and entry point at Gulmarg to prevent the entry of any kind of plastic or polythene inside the resort.
The court also sought latest report from States Pollution Control Board regarding the ambient air quality at Gulmarg.
Regarding the functioning of Sewerage Treatment Plants in hotels, court was informed that the concerned department (PCB) monitors the functioning of STPs and wherever required, the authorities take the action.
Regarding a proposal on area and village to be included or excluded in GDA limits, the court directed town planner to prepare the proposal within three weeks. Thereafter, the officer was asked to submit the same to Commissioner Secretary Tourism who has been directed by the court to immediately take the matter with higher authorities for the purpose of redefining the areas under GDA.
The court was hearing the PIL filed in 2012 by one Mohammad Rafiq Zargar, seeking directions for protection of fragile environment of Gulmarg.
The court has time and again said that a duty is cast on all the functionaries of the State responsible and entrusted with the assignment of maintaining the glory and beauty of the world famous tourist resort, Gulmarg, to maintain its standard in all its forms.
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