Many souls under threat in ‘Sinking village’

SN HUSSAIN
Kishtwar: Hundreds of people living in a small hamlet of Padder area in mountainous Kishtwar district are constantly living under threat after authorities declared this ‘sinking village’ dangerous and ‘unfit for living’.
Situated on a hillock at a distance of around 2 kilometers from Gulabgarh, Tehsil Headquarter of Paddar, Hourian Gowari village comprises of around 25 families and 159 souls and is sinking from last around six years.
Local residents told that the village is constantly sinking and fissures were visible on the ground in the village and is surrounding threatening many lives. They said that despite the repeated assurances from the district administration no step for their settlement at a suitable and safe place has been taken so far.
One person was killed and scores others were injured in the village after portion of a land caved in the year 2005. After being informed district administration had immediately deputed a team of senior officials to the village.
Following the report of the team, another team of experts from Geology and Mining Department was sent to the village for ascertaining the reasons and taking stock of the situation in the village.
Official sources said that the team vide its report No 2G/TG/DGM/25/06-07/II/4327 dated 24-11-2008 declared the entire village unsecured besides asking the villagers to take special precautionary measures.
As per the report, copy of which is with the Bold Voice, the village is situated at an elevation of 1900 m above m.s.l just above the Bhut Nallah. The area lies between the Latial Nallah (North) and Kher Nallah (South). The ridge on which the village is situated has slope angle of more than 50 degree and at the base of the ridge there are escarpments on both sides of Bhut Nallah forming a deep gorge.
"During the reconnaissance of the area, cracks, fissures, fractures and subsidence were observed in the agricultural fields. The cracks were also observed in the walls of the newly constructed houses beside damage to the subsidence and sliding phenomenon in which walls of the house are tilted, with floor cracks rendering the houses of the inhabitants unsafe for living purposes", the report reads.
However, the report was not enough to panic the district administration which remained slept over the matter till locals submitted written representations to the Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar demanding resettlement of the villagers.
District administration again deputed concerned tehsildar to the village, who after conducted a visit to the village wrote to the Deputy Commission vide letter No 591/MM dated 4-11-2009 that the village is awaiting a major catastrophe as it was not fit for the living. He further sought the direction for resettlement of 25 families comprising 159 souls of the village.
Taking strong notice of the report the DC Vide his order No 1132-34/010 dated 7-7-2010 directed the concerned revenue officers to allot 5 Marlas of state land to each family in the Khasra No 442 at Gulabgarh.
However, the local residents have refused to abandon their village and settle in Gulagarh area. Reports from the area revealed that the villagers are demanding financial assistance to construct at least few rooms per family so that they can migrate from the village. The villagers have reportedly told the revenue officials that they were not in a position to construct residential structures for them as such they may be provided financial assistance failing which the villagers have threatened to live in the same village at the mercy of God.