Shrine board cannot construct permanent structures on alloted land

Srinagar, Jun 19 (UNI) Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) cannot construct any permanent structures on the forest land allotted to it by the Jammu and Kashmir government.

This information was given by Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig at a press conference here this afternoon.

He said the Cabinet decision number 94/7 dated May 20,2008 clearly mentions that sanction is accorded to the diversion of forest land measuring 39.88 hectares falling under compartment No 63/Sindh, in Block Kullan, Range Sindh, Sindh Forest Division for raising pre-fabricated structures only for camping purposes of pilgrims, without going in for construction of permanent structures, at Baltal and Domail by SASB.

The decision further said the proprietary status of forest land shall remain unchanged, land so diverted shall be utilised only for the purpose for which it has been diverted, it shall not be transferred to any other agency without approval of the Forest Department.

The land shall not be mortgaged, reassigned or sub-leased by user agency in any manner to any other agency.

The Cabinet decision said the SASB shall pay net present value of the forest land to the tune of Rs 2,31,30,400 as calculated by the concerned DFO as per the Supreme Court Order dated 30-10-2002 in I A number 566 in Writ Petition (Civil) number 202 of 1995 T N Godavarman Thirumalpad V/S Union of India.

It said user agency shall pay Rs 19,94,000 on account of Compensatory Afforestation to be carried over 79.76 hecters.

The user agency shall take fullproof measures on modern scientific lines to ensure that water of nearby Sindh Nallah does not get polluted.

Any damage done to the forest by the user agency, its employees contractors people employed by them shall be charged from the user agency at the rate of ten times the standard rate of 1992.

The forest land so diverted shall return to the Forest Department free of any encumbrances when it is no loger required by the User Agency.

The SASB shall construct complete retaining breast walls on the both sides of the road, railway line, earthy work and tunneling and take other necessary steps, so as to minimize soil erosion and land slips.

The decision said the SASB shall seek technical guidance from Director, state Soil Conservation Department and it shall also pay any other amount which will become payable as per orders of the Supreme Court or state government or Forest Department and it shall be responsible to get requisite clearance under any other relevant law in vogue.

The SASB shall take all possible environmental safe guards in consultation with the State Pollution Control Board prior to erection of the pre-fabricated structures and their use by the pilgrims ensure that no damage is caused to ecology of the area.

The proposal stands cleared by the Advisory Committee in its 39th meeting held under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary on July 12, 2007, the cabinet decision said.

UNI BAS LPB KN2043