Ganderbal: The famous Chinar Bagh in the Wanipora area of Ganderbal, where more than 100 chinars stand tall, a ‘monstrous’ concrete structure is under construction.
However official documents reveal that the Chinar Development Authority has not granted permission for any construction at the site.
The construction happening is the part of the Degree College Ganderbal.
The documents also reveal that the authority is not in a position to take action against the construction work going on as it’s under the jurisdiction of the Revenue department.
According to an official in the District Administration, Degree College Ganderbal never received any permission for the construction in the said Chinar Bagh.
Nuzhat Hamid, a local resident and an LLM student filed a complaint in the ADC (Additional Deputy Commissioner) office after with the ongoing work has been stopped.
According to the official who is looking into the matter, the damage was already done the day when the construction started.
Nuzhat has also filed a couple of RTIs in this regard in the Chinar Development Authority and the Revenue Department of Ganderbal, however both departments are pinning the blame on each other.
The concerned authority at the District office believe that a permanent solution is required as bringing in temporary stays will not save the Chinars.
Many Chinar sites have been declared as heritage sites however nothing has been done to preserve them. Naseem Bagh, one of the famous Chinar Sites is also witnessing construction on a fast pace.
Recently, many Chinars were axed in Srinagar near the J&K Bank headquarters to make way for a proposed flyover.
