SRINAGAR, NOV 14: Expressing concern about the declining environmental situation, the Central government has urged the Jammu and Kashmir administration to develop a new tourism master plan with a strong emphasis on environmental conservation.
The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change in its notification has asked the J&K government to take various measures including formulating a zonal master plan and tourism master plan.
This comes as Centre according to sources is concerned over the declining environment situation in J&K. There are reports that over the years hotels and new constructions have come up in eco-sensitive zones and have affected the ecosystem at those places.
As per the notification, new construction of hotels and resorts shall not be allowed within one kilometre of the boundary of the protected area or up to the extent of the eco-sensitive Zone.
“Provided that beyond the distance of one kilometre from the boundary of the protected area till the extent of the Eco-sensitive Zone, the establishment of new hotels and resorts shall be allowed only in pre-defined and designated areas for eco-tourism facilities as per the Tourism Master Plan. The new tourism activities shall be also by guidelines by Forest and Climate Change and the eco-tourism guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (as amended from time to time),” it said.
Earlier, the Centre came up with a draft proposal to declare 137.75 square kilometres around Dachigam National Park, Thajiwas (Baltal) and Overa-Aru wildlife sanctuaries as eco-sensitive zones. These zones are crucial habitats for diverse and endemic species, and the proposed eco-sensitive designation aims to foster gene flow, supporting biodiversity across the entire unit. The draft suggests an immediate prohibition on all new and existing mining, stone quarrying, and crushing units, with exceptions for essential domestic needs. Additionally, it prohibits new industries and the expansion of existing polluting industries within the eco-sensitive zone.
