Despite Court ban, construction continues unabated in Sonmarg

The breathtaking scenery of Sonamarg is rapidly giving way to a concrete jungle, as rampant construction activities persist despite a blanket ban imposed by the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court.
The Sonamarg Development Authority’s inaction has raised concerns among locals and environmentalists, who fear that the tourist resort’s natural beauty is being irreparably damaged.
In August this year, the Chief Executive Officer, Sonamarg Development Authority initiated a monitoring team to track illegal construction, instructing employees to capture geotagged photographs and submit reports.
Sources told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that construction activities resumed in September, with the Authority seemingly turning a blind eye. Locals are now urging the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene, citing the devastating impact on the Sonamarg’s ecosystem and tourism industry.
Sources reveal that construction works are going on inside some hotels, hidden from public view. ‘The establishment of a toll post with CCTV cameras at Shitkari has failed to deter the flow of construction materials into Sonamarg, further highlighting the authority’s ineffectiveness,” reliable sources added.
“The High Court’s ban was intended to preserve Sonamarg’s natural beauty, but the Authority’s inaction threatens to undermine this effort,” said a tourism stakeholder. [KNT]