Pahalgam: Authorities in Dehwatoo, Panner and adjoining areas of Pahalgam continued their demolition drives targeting structures deemed illegal under the Pahalgam Master Plan.
Officials at the Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) told Ziraat Times that concerns over the proliferation of illegal structures, not only in Pahalgam’s main town but also in surrounding villages, including Dehwatoo and Panner, have been raised, following which authorities have initiated actions. However, the demolition drives were faced with stiff resistance from families whose structures were demolished with JCB machines.
Eye witnesses said that women and men from the affected families faced a shocking time when they saw their structures built with crores of rupees being brought down and they tried to physically prevent the demolitions.
“Some of these constructions encroach into sensitive areas beyond the PDA’s jurisdiction, posing significant environmental risks”, officials said, warning that unchecked illegal developments could severely damage the environment, undoing decades of conservation work by local communities.
Lately, the PDA has reportedly issued notices to over 300 individuals involved in unauthorized construction of hotels, lodges, and houses, many in violation of environmental norms. These notices warn of possible sealing or demolition if recipients fail to respond within specified timeframes.
However, these enforcement actions have not been without controversy. Shortly after flagging these illegal constructions, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PDA, Masarat Hashim, was transferred from Pahalgam. His transfer had evoked concerns on social media about the challenges faced by officials attempting to curb unauthorized developments in the area.
The Pahalgam Master Plan, intended to guide sustainable development of the tourist spot, has faced criticism and calls for revision. In 2015, the Town Planning Organization framed the Master Plan Pahalgam-2032, aiming to prevent further environmental degradation. However, reports suggest that some ecologically sensitive areas around the golf course have been designated as permissible for commercial constructions, leading to public outcry and legal challenges.
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