Sonamarg, July 14, KNT: Eighteen years after the Jammu and Kashmir government issued a landmark order to transfer over 7,674 kanals and 17 marlas of state land to the Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA), the order remains unimplemented, crippling tourism infrastructure and leaving the tourist hub vulnerable to environmental degradation and administrative chaos.
Issued on July 25, 2007, under Government Order No. Rev(S) 256 of 2007, the directive from the Revenue Department was intended to fuel eco-friendly development in Sonamarg, one of Kashmir’s most picturesque and ecologically sensitive tourist destinations. However, according to reliable sources, the promised land has neither been demarcated nor officially handed over to the Sonamarg Development Authority. Despite the passage of nearly two decades, the SDA continues to function in a state of administrative uncertainty.
Although the Authority has constructed a few basic structures such as parks and minor facilities, these stand on land that has not been legally transferred to it, raising serious legal and planning concerns. The absence of a permanent administrative headquarters has further deepened the Authority’s operational challenges. Since its establishment in 2003, the SDA has been functioning out of a makeshift office within the premises of the Labour Department, symbolizing its persistent struggle for institutional grounding and legitimacy.
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The prolonged delay in demarcation has not only impeded planned development but also triggered a surge in unauthorized constructions and land encroachments. Locals, influential individuals, and private investors have allegedly exploited the legal vacuum, building illegally and without oversight in ecologically fragile zones. The lack of a coordinated monitoring mechanism from either the Revenue Department or the SDA has left the region exposed to rampant, unregulated growth.
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Sonamarg—literally meaning “Meadow of Gold”—is located at an altitude of 8,950 feet and is famed for its spectacular glaciers, alpine lakes, and diverse flora and fauna. It is also the cradle of the Indus River, a vital water source for millions across the subcontinent. Tourist attractions such as Thajiwas Glacier, Sarbal Valley, and Vishansar Lake draw thousands of visitors every year, both domestic and international. But experts warn that Sonamarg’s allure is being undermined by increasing waste, unmanaged tourism influx, unchecked vehicle congestion, and the absence of effective infrastructure.
Adding to the crisis is the stagnation of key tourism development projects, which remain stuck in bureaucratic limbo. Plans for an Agro-Tourism Park, Adventure Tourism Zone, Solid Waste Management System, Hiking Trails, and a Tourist Information Centre have failed to move beyond the planning stage, primarily due to the non-availability of officially transferred land. Stakeholders argue that had the 2007 order been executed in a timely manner, Sonamarg could have rivalled established tourist hubs like Gulmarg and Pahalgam in both quality and scale of services.
The lack of structured tourism development is hurting the local economy as well. Thousands of people, pony handlers, hoteliers, guides, shopkeepers, and artisans—depend on seasonal tourism for their livelihood. The inadequate infrastructure, stemming from official inaction, has throttled opportunities for income generation and sustainable employment in the area.
In response, a growing chorus of voices, comprising environmentalists, tourism experts, and local residents, has called on the Jammu and Kashmir administration to act decisively. They are demanding that the land be formally demarcated and handed over to the SDA, and that a Sonamarg Management Board be constituted with legal and financial powers to oversee regulated development and enforce environmental safeguards.
Locals told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the government carries not just a legal but a moral and ecological obligation to protect Sonamarg’s delicate landscape from further deterioration. Despite multiple appeals by the SDA to the Revenue Department and district authorities, the 2007 order remains buried under layers of bureaucratic inertia, stalling vital projects and placing one of Kashmir’s most treasured tourist destinations at serious risk. [KNT]
