By Nasir Khan
Illegal constructions and rampant land grabbing have put Pahalgam’s water bodies at risk, and there is a sharp rise in unauthorized constructions near wetlands and protected water bodies. Famous for its exquisite landscapes, lush green forests, and breathtaking water bodies, Pahalgam is infamous for being robbed by land mafia.
Recently, the ex-Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pahalgam Development revealed new data about the 300 illegal structures in Pahalgam, along with the devastating impact this will have on water bodies like the Kashmiri Lake. According to town planning guidelines, environmental laws and town planning regulations have been significantly violated, as construction in waterways like general is being done on an unobstructed basis. Due to construction being so rampant, it can be assumed that the number of structures that have been erected is set to be far higher. Reports also indicate that these constructions are being done during the nighttime in order to further give the appearance of the number of structures being lower.
Flouting of Master Plan Guidelines with Impunity
According to the master plan for Pahalgam, no hotel, resort, or commercial structure can be built within 200 meters of a water body to prevent environmental degradation. However, these rules exist only on paper, as influential individuals and politically connected businessmen are openly flouting the law. Huge resorts, hotels, guesthouses, and commercial structures are being built right next to rivers and streams, destroying the region’s delicate ecological balance.
The unchecked felling of trees, illegal diversion of water sources, and unregulated expansion of concrete structures have pushed Pahalgam’s ecosystem to the brink. Forest lands are being cleared at an unprecedented pace, and water bodies are shrinking due to unchecked encroachments and the dumping of construction waste. The once-crystal-clear Lidder River, a lifeline for the region, is now struggling against pollution and land encroachment.
Hotels and Resorts Operating Unregistered and NOC-less
During the course of the investigation, several hotels and resorts came to light that are operating illegally, some without even basic registration or valid No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from any government department. These hotels are functioning unchecked while violating so many laws in front of a silent administration. Most of these hotels do not have NOCs from the Tourism Department, Pollution Control Board, and Pahalgam Development Authority.
It raises a million-dollar question: how could such large-scale violations go unchecked? Who is protecting these illegal operators?
Authorities Mum, Public Fury Soars
Time and again, locals and environmental activists have raised the red flag, alleging that mandarins in the government are brazenly stretching their legs and shortchanging the environment. Residents say those with political backing operate fearlessly, defying laws openly and constructing illegal properties without any repercussions.
In most instances, permits and registrations are nonexistent; yet these hotels and commercial establishments operate unabated, with no administrative action.
The rampant environmental degradation, unchallenged by the Jammu and Kashmir administration, raises eyebrows at the alleged collusion between corrupt officials and land grabbers. Why is the administration so lax in enforcing regulations? Why are illegal constructions thriving despite so many complaints and reports? The absence of tangible action instead insinuates a long-embedded nexus that is helping destroy Pahalgam for financial returns.
An Environmental Catastrophe in the Making
Pahalgam is more than a tourist hotspot; it’s an ecologically sensitive area that nurtures a variety of flora and fauna. Unchecked growth of concrete buildings, deforestation, and land grabbing not only endanger the biodiversity of the region but also threaten the means of livelihood for local communities that rely on tourism for their sustenance.
If these illegal activities are not curbed right away, Pahalgam will soon be staring at irreparable environmental damage, which will culminate in:
- Flash floods and landslides because deforestation is unchecked.
- Water scarcity because natural water sources are either encroached upon or polluted.
- Loss of biodiversity: migratory birds and local wildlife driven away.
- Tourism declines, and economic collapse stares many local businesses in the face.
Time for Government to Act Before It’s Too Late
The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, the Pahalgam Development Authority, and Environmental Protection Agencies must take immediate and decisive action to curb illegal constructions and restore Pahalgam’s natural beauty.
