NVI Correspondent Fazil Mir
Srinagar, July 13 (NVI):- J&K government on Saturday banned the installation of temporary tents for night stay by tourists or any visitors in Gurez, district Bandipore.
“This office had allowed installation of temporary tents by tourists/visitors for night stay vide this office order No:-SDM/G/2024/245-49 Dated:-28-05-2024 subject to the condition that they will not litter the place and keep the site neat and clean.
It has however been observed that the tourists/visitors installing tents overnight leave the thrash and Garbage at the camping site which has impacted the environment of this Sub-division and can lead to outbreak of disease.” Reads the order of SDM Gurez, a copy of which lies with News Vibes of India—(NVI).
“Keeping in view the above and due to the escalating threat to our delicate ecosystem and environment, it has become imperative to implement immediate measures to protect these vulnerable areas. As such it is hereby ordered there shall be complete ban on installation of temporary tents by tourists/visitors for personal use w.e.f Monday i.e 15-07-2024.” It reads.
“However the tents rented out by locals to the tourists shall continue subject to the condition that they will keep the site neat and clean and pay sanitation fee to the Rural Sanitation Department for collection of waste.” It reads further.
Gurez,is a valley located in the high Himalayas, about 86 kilometres from Bandipore and 123 kilometres from Srinagar, to the north of the Kashmir valley. At about 2,400 metres above sea level, the valley is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. (News Vibes of India)