SRINAGAR: The Union Territory administration has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that 0.125 hectares of forest land in Gulmarg was legally diverted for construction of a Solid Waste Management Plant, following due approvals under the Jammu and Kashmir Forest (Conservation) Act, 1997.
In a reply filed before the NGT in O.A. No. 913 of 2024, the government stated that the land was diverted exclusively for the waste management facility in favour of the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA).
According to the response submitted by the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department, the diversion was sanctioned through Government Order No. 399-FST of 2018 dated December 27, 2018, in accordance with Section 2 of the erstwhile J&K Forest (Conservation) Act, 1997.
The government said the approval followed recommendations made during the 102nd meeting of the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) held on September 6, 2017, which examined proposals for diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes. The proposal was subsequently approved by the Cabinet through Decision No. 178/11/2017 dated October 3, 2017.
Officials further informed the tribunal that the land involved forms part of Compartment 47b/Gul in the Gulmarg Forest Range under the Special Forest Division, Tangmarg, and has been permitted to be used strictly for the establishment of the waste management facility.
The reply also stated that the user agency deposited the required compensatory levies amounting to ₹2,13,399 in the CAMPA account for the permitted use of the forest land.
The administration maintained that the land is to be utilized solely for the approved purpose and in accordance with the terms and conditions laid down in the sanction order, while the legal status of the forest land remains unchanged.
The response was filed in compliance with the tribunal’s December 1, 2025 directions, which had asked the respondents to clarify the legal provisions under which the diversion order was issued. The matter remains pending before the National Green Tribunal.
