Srinagar: The Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC) J&K) has sounded alarm over the proposed acquisition of land in the Brein-Nishat area of Srinagar for establishing a camping site for four CRPF battalions, warning that the move could endanger the fragile Zabarwan ecosystem and pose a serious threat to wildlife, including the Hangul (Kashmiri stag) and snow leopard.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the GCC said that the 1,324 kanals of land identified in Brein-Nishat (Tehsil Khanyar, District Srinagar) fall within the Conservation Reserve that forms part of the Protected Area Network (PAN) under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, as amended in 2022.
The group cautioned that any construction or military infrastructure in this area could have “an irreversible impact on the biodiversity of the Zabarwan range and its adjoining habitats.”
‘Violation of Master Plan and Eco-Sensitive Zone Norms’
According to the statement, the proposed site also lies within the Green Belt Zone of the Srinagar Master Plan 2035, where any infrastructure development or land-use change is “not permissible and therefore prohibited.”
The GCC added that the area forms part of the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of the Dachigam Wildlife National Park, which serves as a crucial watershed for the Dal Lake ecosystem.
“The area is an integral component of the protected landscape that sustains rare wildlife species already on the red alert list,” the statement read, warning that the proposed land use could “disturb the fragile ecological balance and permanently damage one of Kashmir’s most vital biodiversity corridors.”
Citizens move NGT; GCC urges wider public engagement
The GCC appreciated local citizens who have reportedly approached the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which has issued notices to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and other concerned departments over the proposed land acquisition.
The group said the case highlights the urgent need for public awareness and civic engagement on environmental and ecological issues across the region.
Recalling the historical significance of the area, the GCC said that the Dachigam Wildlife Sanctuary was first established by Maharaja Pratap Singh in 1910, and later notified as a “Wildlife Conservation Reserve” under Cabinet Order No. 710 of 1945 (dated July 11, 1945).
‘Tree felling without clearance disturbing’
The statement expressed “deep anguish” over reports of vegetation removal and tree cutting in the area, allegedly carried out without mandatory pre-project clearances or proper land acquisition procedures.
“These activities, if confirmed, would amount to unlawful interference in a legally protected and eco-fragile zone,” the GCC said.
Appeal to LG and Chief Minister
The GCC has appealed to the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir to shelve the proposal and identify an alternative site for the CRPF battalions.
It also urged the government to ensure that “no such encroachments or ecologically hazardous projects are permitted in protected or tourist-sensitive zones across J&K.”
Reiterating its commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection, the GCC called upon citizens, policymakers, and civic bodies to work together in safeguarding Kashmir’s natural heritage from “short-sighted developmental decisions.”
