Unabated constructions devour agricultural land

Tangmarg, Dec 15 : Unabated constructions along the Srinagar-Gulmarg highway is taking a heavy on the agriculture land with authorities acting as mute spectators.

 Commercial and residential structures are coming up on war-footing on the agricultural classified as 'Aabi-Awal.’

 Section-I-33-A of the Land Revenue Act, states that ‘Aabi Awal’ agriculture land on which paddy, vegetation or saffron has been grown for two years cannot be utilized for any other purpose unless written permission is obtained from the Revenue Minister.
 However in blatant violation of this Act, the Revenue authorities are acting as mute spectators to the vandalization of agricultural land.

 These constructions have drastically affected view of scenic beauty along this road leading to world famous ski-destination Gulmarg.

 Till a few years ago this road offered glimpse of scenic 'Lolpur Wudar' and the down-dale picturesque from Druroo village to Tangmarg Town which stands prolifically authored by world famous authors who have been visiting here since times immemorial.

 Constructions on the agricultural land have also shattered the dream of Green Revolution in this area. Importantly, the production of agricultural output has drastically decreased as people prefer to go for constructions on their land here.

 “Despite laws meant for preservation of agriculture land, it is ironical that the revenue authorities have failed to stop its vandalisation. There is definitely a nexus between revenue authorities and some unscrupulous people as these constructions are undertaken in broad daylight,” a group of concerned locals said.

 The cost of land located alongside the highway including Mazhama, Kanihama, Magam, Chichilora, Waripora, Dhobiwan, Wussan, Mangloora, Batpora, Kunzar, Gokhama, Rarem, Druroo and Chandilora have sky rocketed. It has become difficult for a common man to purchase even a kanal of land here for agriculture purpose.

 They said there is no dearth of non-agriculture land on which the residential and commercial constructions cannot be raised. Still people go for constructions on agricultural land. The problem gets compounded due to horizontal constructions which consume more land.

 Experts maintain that need of the hour is to utilize the existing revenue law to curb this menace. “Stern action must be taken for the violators in order to stop unabated land conversion which will otherwise prove disastrous for the area,” they said.

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