Tawseef Bhat
Anantnag, May 14: The Wildlife Sanctuary, a haven where birds cannot even fly freely and and human voices kept low, is currently facing a surge in construction activities. Fears are mounting that the sanctuary could soon be wiped off the map — with the Wildlife Department itself bearing part of the responsibility.
Reliable sources have revealed that illegal hotels have been under construction for several months in Avora and Dehwatoo, two tourist destinations in Pahalgam, Anantnag district. These activities are not only marring the natural beauty of the area but also damaging the lush forests. According to sources, although Wildlife Protection Rules prohibit construction within a one-kilometer radius of any wildlife zone, the administration, allegedly with support from the department, has allowed hotels to be built in Avora and Dehwatoo.
Wealthy investors are carrying out construction in blatant violation of the law. This poses a serious risk not only to the sanctuary but also to local residents, who could face increased encounters with wild animals as their habitat is disrupted.
Sources further questioned how the administration and departments like Wildlife, Flood Control, and Revenue are issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for such constructions while denying the same to local residents, citing legal restrictions. They claim that all construction is taking place openly, in full view of Wildlife Department officials, who have taken no action and are instead shifting blame to other departments.
A department employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the illegal construction in Pahalgam will not stop as long as senior officials remain complicit. He added that junior employees are powerless to act without support from higher authorities. “Unless the Supreme Court or the government imposes a total construction ban, this will continue,” he said.
Local residents have called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, senior department officials, and District Development Commissioner Anantnag, Syed Fakhruddin Hamid, to take action against those responsible for illegal structures in Avora and Dehwatoo. They also demanded accountability from all departments involved.
The Wildlife Department appears helpless in halting the illegal construction. The pressing question remains: when will it end?
When contacted, Range Officer Pahalgam, Altaf Ahmed, gave no satisfactory explanation for the ongoing construction but confirmed that notices had been issued to 60 individuals. “We are helpless and unable to take action without directions from higher authorities,” he said, acknowledging that hundreds of illegal structures already exist.
Meanwhile, the SDM Pahalgam has promised strict action against those involved and urged the public not to undertake construction without proper permission.
