Srinagar- The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has directed authorities not to permit any concrete structure in the Bangus Valley without its permission.
Lying at an altitude of around 10,000 ft. above sea level in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, Bangus Valley is known for its breath-taking natural beauty, including snow-capped mountains, lush green forests, and crystal clear streams.
Occupying an estimated area of 300 sq.km (20x15km), the principal valley locally known as Bodh Bangus (Big Bangus) consists of a linear elliptical bowl aligned along the east-west axis. The valley is surrounded by Rajwar and Mawar in the east, Shamasbury and Dajlungun Mountains in the west and Chowkibal and Karnah Guli in the north. A smaller valley known as Lokut Bangus (Small Bangus) lies on the north-eastern side of the main valley. Both the valleys have level green meadows surrounded by low-lying mountains covered with dense Coniferous forests (budloo) and a crystal clear stream flowing through them.
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation, a division bench of acting Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Rajnesh Oswal also issued notice for filing response to authorities including Commissioner Secretary Forest Department, Conservator of forests North Circle Sopore, Divisional forest officer Kehmil Forest division Kralpora Kupwara, District Development Commissioner Kupwara and Chief Executive Officer Lolab Bangus Drangyadi Development Authority (LBDDA) Kupwara.
The notice was accepted on behalf of the authorities by the Deputy Advocate General who sought and was granted four weeks time for filing the response to the PIL which among others, seeks a direction to the authorities to prepare a Master Plan for sustainable development of Bangus valley before carrying on any developmental work.
The PIL also seeks a direction to the authorities to take steps for preservation of natural beauty of Bangus Valley including its forests, stream, meadows etc while preparing Master Plan by following the procedure as envisaged in Jammu and Kashmir Development Act 1970 and in such a way that no concrete constructions and buildings are allowed to be constructed there and “no allotment of land is made in haphazard manner and in excess for commercial activities.”
“In the meantime, the respondents, particularly the respondent No. 3 (Divisional forest officer Kehmil Forest division Kralpora Kupwara), is directed not to allow raising any concrete structure in the Bangus Valley without leave of this Court,” the division bench added and ordered the listing of the PIL for further consideration on September 11.
In the PIL, the petitioner has stated that the LBDDA before carrying on any developmental activity in Bangus Valley need to have a Eco friendly Master Plan for its sustainable development so that no concrete construction is allowed there valley and no haphazard allotments of land made to any private persons for commercial purposes which shall effect the beauty and natural flora and fauna of the place.
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