Advocate Zameer Farooq highlights perils of neglected factory, appeals for swift govt intervention
Pampore: Residents of Wuyan area in Pampore Tehsil of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have urged the government to address the long-standing issue of the defunct JK Minerals cement factory in Wuyan Balla, which has remained closed for the past 15 years. They argue that the factory, now serving as a shelter for wild animals, is causing difficulties for the residents of the area.
The suggestion is to dismantle the defunct factory and repurpose the valuable land for a new business unit. Locals emphasize the need for utilizing this land effectively, asserting that keeping it idle serves no purpose. They urged the government to consider opening a new business enterprise on this land in the area to generate employment opportunities and revenue for the region, local residents told Kashmir Reader.
People in the area have said that the wildlife department has already installed a cage on the factory premises. However, there hasn’t been any rescue of wild animals so far. Since the leopard attack on the truck driver, the wildlife department has been monitoring the situation continuously, but as of now, no concrete action has been taken.
Truck driver Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, residing near the factory, said that wild animals inhabit the premises, causing significant concern. He recounted a recent incident where a leopard attacked him near the factory’s walls, narrowly escaping him in the incident. Following the incident, the wildlife department visited, and he emphasized to them the need to prevent such occurrences, he said. Ajaz requested the government to intervene, rescue the wild animals in the area, and either dismantle the factory or repurpose it for a different use. His plea stems from the immediate threat posed by the wild animals and the potential dangers they present to the residents.
Speaking to Kashmir Reader, Advocate Zameer Farooq, a local resident, said the cement factory in question belongs to JK Minerals and is currently defunct, having been closed for the past 15 years. He said that since the unit’s closure, the government and concerned departments have seemingly diverted their attention from this site. Over time, the facility premises have transformed into a small jungle, providing shelter to wild animals, posing a threat to the local population and the entire area, he added.
“A recent incident unfolded where a local truck driver experienced a leopard attack, narrowly escaping with his life. This attack has made it challenging for people, especially the affected driver, to venture outside their homes, particularly during morning and evening times, especially for prayer time at the mosque,” Adv Zameer said.
He revealed that the closed factory site is abundant with scrap materials, and there are numerous stray animals, including wild ones, taking shelter, posing a significant danger to the local population of the area. “We aim to bring this matter to the government’s attention. The suggestion is to transform the factory premises into a different business enterprise, facilitating revenue generation for the government and creating employment opportunities,” he said.
Additionally, the defunct machinery lying here should either be disposed of or replaced with new machinery. This would ensure a comprehensive resolution to the ongoing issue. If we retain the current state and the government doesn’t address it promptly, there’s a looming threat that wild animals might pose a danger to people in the area, leading to potential attacks and risks to human lives in the future, Adv Zameer said.
“Our request to the LG sahab, Chief Secretary sahab, and Deputy Commissioner of Pulwama, despite multiple visits and representations to the concerned departments regarding this issue, no one has addressed the problem. The factory’s condition remains unchanged, and the fear is escalating day by day. People in this area are finding it increasingly difficult to venture outside in the morning and evening due to the presence of wild animals,” he said.