Srinagar, Oct 8: After obscurity for decades, especially during the 30 years of turmoil, Kashmir’s Bangus valley, situated some 106 kms from Srinagar in Kupwara district, is now unfolding its breath-taking charm and beauty to the outside world.
Exceptionalism of Bangus valley:
Bangus valley is one of the largest high-altitude meadows of Kashmir. It is a relatively unexplored tourist destination, but is quickly gaining popularity among travelers, who are looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience. The valley is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species. It is also a popular spot for birdwatching and trekking. Lately, its main meadow has become a hit among picnic goers and adventure lovers, seeking new trails in Kashmir. There are a number of hiking trails in Bangus Valley, with some of the most popular hiking trails including the Bangus Glacier Trail and the Rajwar Valley Trail.
The government of Jammu and Kashmir, the tourism department, and Bangus Valley Tourism Development Authority has taken several measures lately in making the meadow accessible, popularising it among tourists and creating a viable and sustainable tourism infrastructure there.
Issues of concern
What is evoking concern among locals and environmentalists alike is the fact that Bangus development is seemingly proceeding without any significant enviornmental management plan. In recent days, as road connectivity up to the main meadow has become a reality, hundreds of vehicles have been seen seen plying on the green meadow itself. Often, vehicle owners are seen washing their vehicles in the pristine waters of the meadow. With no waste solid management plan in place, solid waste, including polythene, has been seen littered in the meadow.
Above all, what is worrying for environmentalists is the possibility of unbridled concrete hotels and other infrastructure, not in keeping with the aesthetic beauty of the place, coming up in the meadow.
Ziraat Times spoke to a wide section of prominent environmentalists and local activists about what should be the ideal situation for the development of Bangus valley
Khurshid Ahmed Ganai (Retired IAS and Former Advisor to J&K Governor)
In my opinion, Bangus valley should not be exposed to heavy rush of tourists and traffic without thinking through the impact. The Government of UT must first work out a strategy to take care of environmental fallout of building infrastructure like roads and buildings, solid waste management, sanitation and traffic. Our times are times of sustainable and green tourism and not traditional tourism. We need to work things in a manner that there is minimal environmental damage and that actions are simultaneously taken to compensate for such damage. The government must go back to the drawing board before the next tourist season. The Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara and Director Tourism Kashmir must speak up and suggest to the government about what needs to be done to protect the beauty and environmental balance of Bangus valley and the surrounding areas. It is important that no rash decisions are taken.
Faiz Bakshi (Convenor, Environmental Policy Group)
Bangus is a 300 sq. km. valley, 10,000 feet altitute above sea level, with scenic beauty, green meadows, large flora and fauna, streams flowing with trout fish has tremendous scope for development as an eco-tourism destination. However, it neither has Master Plan for developing it nor any regulation in place whereby its sanctity as a pristine meadow, protection of its environment, the regulation of solid and liquid waste is in place. It has been helplessly watched by local residents and environmentalists that a large number of vehicles ply and are parked on its meadows as thousands of visitors throng the place. It is of important and urgent importance that a parking place is identified, vehicular movement regulated , environmental concerns addressed, environmental impact assessment carried, carrying capacity assessed and a Master Plan for Bangus Valley Prepared.I believe that following these steps will help develop this beautiful as an attractive destination with its abundant natural resources.
Tourism Development Authorities in Jammu & Kashmir came into being as a result of an extensive survey conducted jointly by Government of India, Department of Tourism and the Jammu & Kashmir Government during second tenure of the Vajpayee government through a consulting committee Samtek Committee Report. The report, while identifying and recommending creation of various Development Authorities, laid stress on: Sustainable development, respect for local culture, creating employment for local communities, promoting eco-tourism and reserving the scenic beauty and natural resources of the area. Thus, the creation of new destinations had lofty goals. However, we have been watching quite reverse trend almost at all the Tourism Development Authorities resulting in mushroom and unplanned growth, destruction of environment and natural resources and adverse impact on heritage and culture. The fate of Gulmarg, Pahalgham, Sonamarg etc is known to all. These once beautiful, idyllic, serene and popular tourist attractions have become crowded, noisy and disproportionately built-up destinations.
The same has started to happen with newly-explored destinations. The Bangus is one of them. Let it not make another wasted tourist destination like Dodhpathri despite having a huge potential for development. The Environmental Policy Group( EPG) will take up the matter with the Chief Secretary who is the Chairman of Lolab, Bangus & Drangyari Development Authority.
Advocate Umar Mir (Prominent civil society member from Kupwara who has been advocating responsible tourism for Bangus valley)
Rush of motor vehicles in green meadows of Bangus is in itself a threat to this virgin place. Lack of proper mechanism in place to regulate the same had added to trouble of visitors as well as threat to the beauty of Bungus.
Since Bangus is at present moment Custodia Legis, meaning there is already a Public Interest Litigation pending before Hon’ble High Court, in which court has sought response from LBDDA regarding master plan of Bangus. Therefore, taking any developmental activity in hand without a master plan as mandated under Jammu Kashmir Development Act will be fatal for the virgin beauty of Bangus as well as it tantamounts to undermining authority of the court. Bangus has lot of tourism potential to boost economy of the people provided we promote eco tourism rather conventional tourism. If meadows and forests of Bungus are converted into concrete jungle then we will surely loose Bangus before its coming into existence. Primary duty is casted upon the Forest Department to adhere strictly to forest laws to regulate movement in Bangus valley. Forest laws must be invoked to prevent this green valley. Carriage of polythene bags and bottles must be prevented beyond entry point of Bangus valley. Dustbins and toilets must be installed at priority and food stalls must be restricted to a particular zone.
Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat (Prominent RTI and environmental activist)
At a time when population is on the rise in J&K, especially Kashmir valley, and landmass is shrinking at an alarming rate, the government has to devise policies that would ensure sustainable utilisation of land for residential, commercial and tourism activities.
The lakes, wetlands, r streams and even the meadows / forests at tourist places like Gulmarg , Sonamarg, Pahalgam have become garbage dump sites. Offbeat tourist destinations like Doodhpathri, Yusmarg and Bungus too are filled with trash and there is no policy to address the waste management problem. Government must immediately ban use and sale of food items packed in plastic in all tourism destinations especially those located near high altitude Mountains like Doodhpathri, Yusmarg and Bungus.
Shahid ul Islam (Prominent environmental activist from Kupwara)
I had last year requested then Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) not to allow vehicle transport inside Bangus. Parking space should be created outside the entrance to the Bungus valley on all three sides. Wastage management at Bangus is a necessity given the eco-fragile landscape of Bangus. The beautiful landscape of Bangus will get buried under the waste if immediate steps aren’t taken by those concerned at earliest to manage it. Further the visitors visiting the Bangus have to be responsible and those visiting must carry all the wastes which otherwise they are supposed to put in at Bangus. The transport services must be banned strictly by law enforcing agencies from going into the Bangus valley . The beauty of meadows will be lost within days if the transport and so called off-roading rush isn’t stopped now. Locals have to stand up against these fantasies and attention grabbing people who try to spoil the natural greenery of the meadow.
The Master Plan for Bangus valley, if at all there is one, should create an aesthetic construction plan.
