Apropos the article Farming the natural way (GK, Aug2) by Maneka Gandhi.
There is a pond in an area of 7 Kanal land approximately comprising of Khasra No. 300 of village Taraf Tajwal. A large variety of flora, fauna, fishes and another aquatic animals existed here. It was situated in Sham Lat Deh non-partible land hence the fruits of pond were enjoyed by one and all in the locality.
A few years back the state government has acquired about 2 Kanals of land for construction of road thereby reducing the area of pond to 5 Kanals only. Now with the construction of road by the side of the pond the prices of the property escalated manifolds. Hence the land mafia in connivance with revenue agencies had started converting the said pond into a building block so that the same could be used for the commercial purposes. Some unscrupulous elements have even manipulated the revenue records and entered into a sale-purchase of same.
During rainy season the water floods into the houses and is wasted as the same flows in lanes and drains thereby reducing the water level and also causing paucity of drinking water for cattle. The matter has been brought to the notice of higher authorities but the influential land grabbers always get the inquiries and cases hushed up.
The Government of J&K also has introduced a scheme for eviction of encroachments on common land vide Cabinet decision No.188/23/2011 dated 19-10-2011. As a consequence of it the encroachments on common land, non-partible Shamlat lands, Kahchrai Lands and lands meant for pathways, ponds, storing grains, water bodies, passages, cremation grounds and sites for public use are to be removed. But such orders are never implemented on ground. I have a great hope from you as you as you have taken up the mission of preserving nature.

Swarn Singh (Senior Citizen)
R/o ward no 6 Kathua
Teh.& Distt. Kathua

Lastupdate on : Thu, 2 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 2 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 3 Aug 2012 00:00:00 IST