Strict action against illegal buildings at tourist spots: J&K

The Jammu and Kashmir government would initiate all possible measures to ensure that illegal constructions in and around the state's tourist destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg were strictly dealt with, Tourism Minister G A Mir told the Assembly today.
Replying to a resolution moved by PDP member Rafi Ahmad Mir, the minister said his government would deal with cases of illegal constructions strictly, and ensure that unauthorised structures at key tourist spots and along roads leading to these places were removed.
The minister said "tourism is a key sector of the state's economy", and stressed the need to develop infrastructure and preserve environment to sustain it in the long run.

Tourism provides direct and indirect employment to a large number of the state's population, besides stimulating allied sectors like handicrafts, horticulture and transport.
He said "tourism has considerable potential for growth and employment generation", and added development of quality infrastructure for tourists was necessary to further boost the sector.
"But at the same time since the state's tourism sector is based, to a large extent, on our environment, it becomes necessary to preserve environment so as to sustain tourism in the long run," the minister said.

Considering the need to balance the twin objectives of infrastructure development and environment preservation, the tourism development authorities had been formed, he added.

One of the primary objectives of the authorities was to regulate development at tourist spots, he said, adding that in respect of Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg, the regulatory bodies had already been constituted.
To put a check on unauthorised constructions, violations of guidelines under the Jammu and Kashmir Control of Building Operations Act, 1988 would be strictly dealt with.
"As and when any violation is brought to the notice of the development authorities necessary actions, including demolition of unauthorised constructions, are taken," the minister said.