JKCSF Chairman Blasts Water Loot, Environmental Collapse in Tangmarg-Gulmarg Region

In a scathing address that echoed the collective frustration of thousands, Abdul Qayoom Wani, Chairman of the Jammu & Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF), held a fiery press conference today at Tangmarg, calling for immediate action against what he termed the "loot of Ferozpora Nalla" and "brazen environmental degradation" in Tangmarg and the world-famous tourist hub, Gulmarg.

Speaking with passion and urgency, Wani warned that the diversion of water from the Ferozpora Nalla—long considered the lifeline of Tangmarg, Magam, Pattan, and surrounding areas—was an act of institutional betrayal.

    “This is not policy. This is theft. This is not governance. This is injustice,” Wani said. “The people whose lives are anchored to the Ferozpora stream are being left with dry taps, dying orchards, and vanishing livelihoods.”

Water Crisis & Ecological Threats

Wani alleged that large pipelines are being laid to siphon off water to other districts without consent, consultation, or environmental clearance, depriving locals of basic rights. He also condemned the rampant use of heavy machinery in the stream, stating that such operations—banned by the Supreme Court—are destroying aquatic life, lowering water levels, and disturbing the ecological balance.

    “Ferozpora Nalla is not just a water source; it is a symbol of our identity and sustains every form of life here,” he said.

Tourism Under Threat

The JKCSF head further lambasted the authorities over unchecked environmental destruction in Gulmarg and Tangmarg. From illegal tree-felling and unregulated waste disposal to the use of hazardous snow-melting chemicals, Wani said the region’s ecological backbone was being crushed.

He also criticized the violation of the construction ban in Gulmarg, urging the government to decentralize tourism infrastructure towards Narbal-Tangmarg to promote economic equity for surrounding villages.
Demand for Infrastructure & Healthcare Reform

Wani highlighted years of neglect in public infrastructure, especially in healthcare. The Tangmarg Chest Disease Hospital, established in 1931, lacks basic facilities like CT scans, MRI, and proper heating. He demanded urgent upgrades not just in Tangmarg but also in Kunzer, Magam, and Pattan.

    “Tourists and locals alike are forced to travel to Srinagar for basic treatment. This is not just mismanagement — it’s a denial of dignity,” Wani said.

He also pressed for completion of the long-stalled Mini Secretariat at Tangmarg, whose foundation was laid in 2012 but remains incomplete.
Electricity Tariff Injustice & GDA Overreach

Highlighting another major concern, Wani slammed the Power Development Department (PDD) for charging high electricity rates from impoverished residents living in sheds and kothas, despite their eligibility for subsidized AAY and BPL rates.

The forced inclusion of over 32 villages under the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) jurisdiction was also criticized. Wani called the restrictions on even basic rural constructions like cowsheds “deeply unjust” and demanded immediate delinking of these villages from the GDA’s authority.
Call for Sustainable Development and Common Action

Wani advocated for high-tech sewage treatment plants in Gulmarg, Tangmarg, and Baba Reshi, and pushed for the expedited construction of the long-pending alternate road to Gulmarg via Bedran–Drung, which could unlock numerous untouched tourist destinations and employment opportunities.

He also lamented the poor state of sports infrastructure, particularly in Kunzer, Tangmarg, and Shrai, linking the absence of recreational facilities to rising drug abuse among youth. While appreciating efforts by local police officers in fighting the drug menace, he offered JKCSF’s full support to them in this ongoing battle.
Appeal for Unity & Common Minimum Programme

In a bold move towards regional solidarity, Wani appealed to key political figures, bar associations, trader unions, and social activists—cutting across party lines—to unite for the larger good of the area.

    “We are not here to fight each other; we are here to protect what is ours — our water, our land, our dignity,” he asserted.

He announced that JKCSF would soon host a comprehensive seminar to draft a Common Minimum Programme aimed at fighting environmental degradation, water mismanagement, and drug abuse.
A Tribute to Environmental Stalwarts

Concluding the press conference on an emotional note, Wani paid heartfelt tribute to 37 legendary local figures of Tangmarg who had tirelessly protected the region’s ecology and heritage. Naming each of them, he said:

    “These stalwarts, irrespective of political leanings, left behind a legacy of courage and sacrifice. Today, it is our sacred duty to honor and carry forward that legacy.”

Final Warning & Resolve

Issuing a final word of warning, Wani declared that if these pressing issues are not addressed immediately, JKCSF will launch a peaceful democratic campaign across the region, taking all stakeholders onboard.

    “We seek fairness, not confrontation. But if we must fight for our rights, we will — peacefully, lawfully, and relentlessly,” he concluded. “We belong to Tangmarg. We believe in Tangmarg. And if the time comes, we are prepared to bleed for Tangmarg.”