Srinagar, Oct 08: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) on Wednesday expressed serious concern over the ongoing “overlanding” activity being carried out in forest and meadow regions of Haijan, Branwar, Mechkhanian, and Ashrat Forest areas in Jammu and Kashmir, terming it an unlawful and environmentally disastrous practice. The group urged the administration to take immediate and stringent action against those responsible for this activity, warning that its continuation will lead to irreversible damage to fragile ecosystems.
In a statement, Faiz Ahmad Bakshi, Convenor of EPG, said that the participants involved in this activity are fully aware that it is illegal, yet continue to indulge in it with impunity. “This is an unlawful activity and the participants are not only aware of it but brazenly admit it. Their reference to such activities being legal in Australia, South Africa, or other countries is no justification. We are governed by our own laws and not by those in operations elsewhere — period,” Bakshi asserted.
He said the video footage of the activity clearly shows how forest trails are being destroyed and how the plying of such vehicles on meadows will result in the complete degradation of these pristine landscapes. “Our meadows, which were unspoiled two or three decades ago, are now facing destruction because of the reckless use of vehicles in these ecologically sensitive areas. Sadly, forest zones of Haijan, Branwar, and Mechkhanian, falling en route to the Ashtar Forest area, are already bearing the brunt of such activities. If this is not stopped forthwith, it will end in disaster,” he warned.
EPG pointed out that as per available reports, a vast forest area of around 3,60,000 kanals has already been encroached upon and misused for illegal activities, including unregulated vehicular movement and other forms of exploitation. The EPG recalled that Branwar had also witnessed extensive environmental damage about 15 years ago due to the construction of a small hydropower project and the laying of pipelines.
“The Environmental Policy Group advises these young people to immediately stop the overlanding activity that causes irreparable damage to forests and green pastures,” Bakshi said, adding that one young person had compared the destruction caused by overlanding to the degradation of Dal Lake. “I can’t agree more with him. But brother, this is a bad example — two wrongs don’t make a right,” he remarked.
He cited the example of Sonamarg, where vehicles once plied up to the Thajwas Glacier area. “When Bollywood film makers came to shoot in Thajwas, vehicles were freely moving in the area. It took EPG just two days to get a ban order from the Division Bench of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court — and that ban is still in force,” Bakshi recalled, emphasizing that similar legal intervention could again be sought if required.
“The forests are meant for wildlife — it is their natural abode. They have as much right to live peacefully as human beings have. Any activity that disturbs the natural ecosystem is not only legally wrong but morally as well,” he said, adding that if necessary, EPG would once again approach the High Court to ensure a judicial ban and punitive action on this unlawful activity.
Bakshi dismissed the justification given by some participants that these forest trails have no entry or exit gates and no guards, and that since timber trucks use the same routes, they too should be allowed. “There is a vast difference between carrying on a legitimate activity and an illegitimate one,” he said.
The EPG Convenor advised the youth to act as responsible citizens and desist from damaging forest ecosystems. “Such reckless behaviour also leads to increased man-animal conflict, which claims lives year after year. Let us act responsibly, within the framework of law. Let us live and let live,” he appealed.
Calling upon the Forest & other concerned Departments as well as District Administration to immediately intervene, Bakshi said, “It will take a short time to get it banned by the High Court if the government fails to act. The time to act is now — before these meadows and forests are lost forever.”
