Illegal Construction Allegations Surface in Sonamarg Despite High Court Restrictions
Ganderbal, Oct 1: KNT: Allegations of fresh unauthorized construction in and around Sonamarg have raised questions over enforcement of restrictions imposed to protect the ecologically fragile tourist destination, with local sources alleging that commercial structures are being raised despite a continuing prohibition on fresh construction, while the Chief Executive Officer of the Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) has rejected the allegations as baseless.
According to sources, hotels and other structures are allegedly being constructed in Sonamarg and Shat Kadi village under the guise of homestays. Sources claimed that some construction activity has taken place despite the matter being within the regulatory jurisdiction of the Sonamarg Development Authority.
The allegations assume significance in view of repeated directions of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court concerning construction in Sonamarg. The court had revived suo motu proceedings in 2017 after reports of indiscriminate and unauthorized construction in the area and directed that no construction activity be carried out.
The court subsequently reiterated the restriction. In its March 2023 order, the High Court made it clear that there should be no fresh construction in the Sonamarg Development Area irrespective of whether permission had been granted by any competent authority. The court also directed the SDA Chief Executive Officer to take immediate steps to stop fresh construction and held that the CEO could face contempt proceedings if fresh construction was brought to the court’s notice.
Sources alleged that one method being used to circumvent restrictions involves initially erecting temporary tin sheds at construction sites, with construction work allegedly being carried out from inside the sheds before the temporary structures are removed after completion.
They further alleged that such activity was taking place despite the SDA having a demolition/enforcement team tasked with identifying and reporting unauthorized construction to the Chief Executive Officer.
Sources also questioned the effectiveness of the SDA’s arrangements for preventing construction material from entering the resort. According to them, the authority has established a toll post where employees are deployed round-the-clock to monitor and restrict the movement of construction material into Sonamarg.
The alleged continuation of construction despite such arrangements, sources said, raises questions about how construction material is reaching the area and whether the enforcement mechanism is functioning effectively.
The issue is particularly sensitive because the High Court proceedings have repeatedly highlighted the environmental fragility of Sonamarg. Court records have referred to concerns relating to the meadows, Thajiwas Glacier, Thajiwas Wildlife Sanctuary, River Sindh, sewage, solid waste and the impact of construction and tourism-related activity on the area’s ecology.
In its proceedings, the High Court has also stressed that the objective of the public interest litigation is the preservation of the tourist destination from encroachments and pollution.
Locals said tourism remains the principal source of livelihood for thousands of people associated with hotels, homestays, pony services, transport and other activities. They expressed concern that unchecked construction and degradation of the natural environment could eventually affect the attractiveness of Sonamarg as a tourist destination and consequently impact local livelihoods.
The Wildlife Department also has a role in protecting the Thajiwas Wildlife Sanctuary and its notified Eco-Sensitive Zone. Official records submitted before the National Green Tribunal state that the Thajiwas Wildlife Sanctuary covers around 210 square kilometres and that its Eco-Sensitive Zone has been notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
However, allegations of continued construction have been strongly rejected by SDA Chief Executive Officer Bilal Mukhtar Dar.
Speaking to the news agency Kashmir News Trust, Dar said that there was no illegal construction being raised anywhere in Sonamarg and termed the allegations “baseless”.
The Divisional Forest Officer, Wildlife, could not be contacted despite repeated calls for his response to the allegations.
The allegations and the official denial come against the backdrop of the High Court’s continuing emphasis on strict regulation of construction in Sonamarg. In a 2025 judgment in the long-running PIL, the court directed the authorities to finalize the revised Sonamarg Master Plan while reiterating the need to protect the area’s ecological character. [KNT]
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