Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, Thursday emphasised on balancing development with natural requirements to preserve the serenity and scenic splendour of health resorts of the State. He said infrastructural development should not interfere with the natural settings and the beauty of these places. “A judicious balance needs to be maintained between conservation and development”, he said and added that we should assume collective responsibility to ensure preservation and protection of our tourist attractions.Reviewing the works and initiatives undertaken by Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) and Gulmarg Development Authority, (GDA) in two separate meetings, he chaired here, the Chief Minister stressed that no violation of building permissions granted by BOCA should be allowed and wherever, unauthorized constructions and land grabbing has taken place, the same should be challenged and public notices should be issued to all such violators.
The Chief Minister also stressed on improving the aesthetics of the markets at Sonamarg and Gulmarg that fits in with the local architecture and is suitable for a resort. He also called on SDA and GDA to ensure strict adherence to sewage and sanitation disposal norms by the hoteliers.Chief Executive officers of SDA and GDA briefed the Chief Minister about the initiatives taken by the authorities to develop and upgrade infrastructure for convenience of the tourists and sought approval for new initiatives required to be undertaken.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister reviewed the State plan for the years 2012-13 and proposed action plan for the year 2013-14 of SDA and GDA. Action Plan 2013-14 to the tune of Rs. 3 crore for SDA and Action Plan 2013-14 for GDA to the tune of Rs. 3.5 crore along with additionality of Rs. 50 lakh was approved during the meeting. The Chief Minister asked the GDA to make early preparations ahead of the upcoming winter sports activities at Gulmarg Ski resort and ensure that this year we have a longer ski season.The review meetings were attended by Minister for Tourism, Mr. G. A. Mir, Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir, Minister for Forests, Mr. Mian Altaf Ahmed, Principal Secretary Planning and Development Mr. B. R Sharma, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Mr. B.B. Vyas, Commissioner Secretary Tourism, Mr. Atul Dulloo, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, J&K, CCF Kashmir, Chief Wildlife Warden, Chairman PCB, Deputy Commissioners Ganderbal and Baramulla, Director Tourism, Kashmir, Chief Engineers, MD JKSCCC, MD JKTDC and other officers.