Sajidah Yousuf
Srinagar, Nov 2: The government has asked the concerned authorities to evacuate more than 380 Kanals of land in respect of the Wular Lake that have been encroached so far.
Besides, the government also ordered to pinpoint the private land at Hokersar wetland within the outer parameters of the area.
According to the official records, the divisional commissioner Kashmir, P K Pole while reviving the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) said that the office was informed that the encroachment at 380 Kanals and 11 Marlas of land in respect of the Wular Lake needs to be removed.
He directed the concerned authorities to remove the encroachment by or before November-30-2021.
“Besides, Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA) shall prepare a comprehensive action plan about the Lake and shall submit the same before the Committee constituted by the government for the purpose so that same can be incorporated into the for submission before the NGT,” Pole said.
He was apprised that demarcation of the body has been done at Haigam Water Body.
Pole directed that the encroachment on the water body shall be removed by or before November-30-2021except for the 56 residential houses and structures.
In the case of Hokersar wetland, the divisional commissioner said that he was informed that there is no encroachment on the water body; however, there are some proprietary land patches within the parameters of the water body.
Pole directed the officials to pinpoint the private land within the outer parameters of the water body within 15 days, besides, demarcation and removal of encroachment shall be done within next 15 days positively.
At the Meergund site, Pole said that he was informed that demarcation has been completed and there is no encroachment.
ADC Budgam was directed to check the status of 96 Kanals of land at Check Kawoosa Jageer
Pole said that the Vice Chairman for Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) informed that as such there is no encroachment on the water body, however drives are being conducted within the outer and inner peripheries of the lake to thwart any attempt of encroachment.
He directed the executive engineer of LAWDA to complete the DPR and submit the same so that HLC can be done within two days.
Likewise, the deputy commissioner Ganderbal has informed the divisional commissioner Kashmir that final demarcation of the water body in Shalabugh has not been completed yet; however, there is no encroachment at 90 percent of the wetland as the extent of encroachment on 10 percent is plantation and vegetables.
Pole directed that the demarcation shall be completed within two weeks and encroachment on 160 Kanals shall be removed by DC Srinagar.
Similarly, the ADC Awantipora informed the divisional commissioner Kashmir that 79 Kanals of the land (State land) of the water body is under encroachment.
Pole asked the deputy commissioner Pulwama to remove the encroachment within two weeks positively.
