Responding to the overwhelming public demand to curb the practice of menacing unplanned constructions and haphazard growth in the rural areas, the State’s Rural Development has decided to regulate all types of constructions in the areas falling outside the Municipal limits.Rural Development Department has been receiving lot of complaints from public regarding unplanned constructions especially of commercial buildings in rural areas resulting in adverse impact on our natural and built environment including encroachment of roads, choking of streams and springs, incompatible land use and excessive use of natural resources. We have to regulate constructions in the rural areas before it is too late,” Minister for Rural Development, Mr Abdul Haq said.
He said most of the constructions in the rural areas also lack in terms of safety, sanitation and the basic norms. “We have to promote rural settlements that are safe, functional and accessible, enhance the living standards and the quality of lives of our people and at the same time preserve the natural and cultural landscape of our rural areas,” he said.The Minister said that J&K has already a mechanism in place wherein the building permissions in rural areas are being issued by the concerned Block Development Officers. “We will strengthen the existing mechanism to restrict haphazard constructions in the rural areas,” he said and added that the government would seek the cooperation of all the stakeholders in this initiative so that the distinct character and pristine beauty of the State’s rural areas is not only maintained but preserved as well.
He said the Rural Development Department would also ensure that the reckless conversion of agriculture land in rural areas is prevented to ensure food security.Mr Haq said instructions have also been issued to all the Panchayat Officers to ensure removal of encroachments from nallahs, streams and springs to prevent any future flood threats.