Mushtaq Pahalgami

Mushtaq Pahalgami
Born (1981-03-01) 1 March 1981
Pahalgam, J&K, India
Nationality Indian
Known for J&K, Right to Information, 2009 Right to Public Services legislation, J&K, PSGA, 2011 Environmentalism
Religion Islam
Parent(s) Taja Bano Begum and Mohammad Jabbar Magray
Website Himalayan Welfare Organization, Pahalgam

Mushtaq Ahmad Magray 'Pahalgami' (مشتاق احمد ماگرے (پہلگامی (born 1981, Pahalgam, District Anantnag, India) is an award-winning[1] social activist and environmentalist, working on social issues concerning Education,[2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Public Healthcare [9][10] Environment[11][12][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] and Right to Information.[20][21]

Career

Mushtaq Pahalgami has worked closely with many other environmental and social activists in the region, including environment and human rights lawyer Parvez Imroz[22][23] and has represented the region's concerns in various national and international seminars and conferences.[24] Pahalgami is founder and president of the NGO Himalayan Welfare Organization, Pahalgam (HWO), committed to service in the areas of health care, environmental protection and conservation, tourism,[25] education, poverty reduction and alleviation[26] human rights, Women Rights[27][28][29][30] and preservation of the famous Kolahoi Glacier, Lidder and Sind Rivers.[31]

Pahalgami also works with trade unions and social organizations like the Pahalgam Collation of Unions,[32][33][34][35][36][37][38] Pahalgam Hotel/Guest House Owners Union, Pahalgam Travel and Tour Operators Union, Pahalgam Tent Union, and Pahalgam Peoples Welfare Organization.[39][39][40][41] He and his team at HWO are known in the region for organizing free medical camps,[42] Environment Preservation and Awareness Programmes, Seminars and Symposiums about the right to Information[43][44] Public Education[45] and Health Care,[9] and Drug-deaddiction apart from ongoing flood relief operations after the recent floods in the valley.[42][44][46][47]

Pahalgami has campaigned for environmental conservation in the Himalayan region, particularly in and around Pahalgam, compelling exploitative forest, timber and land interests to retreat from most parts of the region through a long and sustained legal battle[22][23] and RTI crusade against dereliction of environmental duty by government departments,[21][48][49][50][51][52] illegal occupation of forest land,[53][54] hunting of wild animals, felling of trees and smuggling of timber.[14][53][55] HWO has also organised over 30 camps and information campaigns to promote and ensure conservation of the natural ecosystems of the Lidder and Sind rivers as well as the Kolhoi Glacier.

The HWO organized a month long free medical and information camp for pilgrims and tourists at Nunwanan, Pahalgam, starting on the 6th of July, 2015,[56] a one day seminar on 'Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development' on the 06th of June,2015[57][58][59][60] a seminar on 'Women and Education in J&K' on the 28th of March, 2015[61] and a poster-campaign on 'Wetlands Awareness' on 2 February 2015,[15] a day-long environment and sanitation Awareness Camp at Pahalgam on World Environment Day, 5 June 2014 at Pahalgam, with the support of Pahalgam Development Authority, Pahalgam, Municipal Committee Pahalgam, and Pahalgam Travel Tour Operators Union. HWO celebrates the World Environment Day every year on the fifth of June, acknowledging an urgent need to raise global awareness about the need to take positive environmental action.[11][13][62][63][64][65]

RTI and PSGA campaigns

On 15 October 2014, the Himalayan Welfare Organization, Pahalgam, organised a one-day seminar on the Jammu and Kashmir Right to Information Act, 2009 (RTI) and Jammu and the Kashmir Public Service Guarantee Act 2011 (PSGA). Held at Townhall, Pahalgam, under the leadership of HWO president Pahalgami, the seminar emphasized the importance of citizen awareness and the right to question, particularly in the post-flood relief and rehabilitation scenario. An awareness camp on the subject was also organised earlier, on 10 September 2013 at Pahalgam with the support of the 'Collation of Unions', RTI and PSGA Acts, including statutory laws which guarantee time bound delivery of services for public services rendered by the government to citizens, provisions and mechanisms for punishing errant public servants who are deficient in providing services stipulated under statute.

Pahalgami and his team have filed and fought more than 250 RTI and PSGA cases, particularly concerning land grabbing, illegal construction and illegal land-use in and around Pahalgam; ensuring implementation of the 2008 J&K High-court order staying all construction and repair in the region. This has resulted in positive interventions and more than two hundred notices served in various cases, to the Department of Social Welfare, Ministry of Tourism, Department of Education, Department of Consumer Affairs, Department of Public Distribution, rural Development, Ministry of Environment, Forest Department, (Amarnath Yatra) Shrine Board, Integrated Child development project; GOI, and State Assembly Secretariat, among others.[22][23][66][67]

Mushtaq Pahalgami has made the citizen's movement in Pahalgam unprecedentedly strong by susutained efforts at inculcating a culture of rational critique and inquiry among the people of the region.[68][69][70] His persistent efforts in questioning the state-machinery's inefficacy has given much-needed impetus to the state's anti-corruption movement.[47][71][72]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Tourism Ministry Honours Mushtaq Pahalgami". Greater Kashmir. 2015-03-14. Retrieved 2015-03-15.
  2. ↑ "Education : Pahalgam Without Degree College". 5dariyanews.com. 2014-10-22. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  3. ↑ "Social activist donates book bank to GHSS Pahalgam - Early Times Newspaper Jammu Kashmir". Earlytimes.in. 2014-10-08. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  4. ↑ "EDUCATION FOR ALL: IMPLEMENTATION OF RIGHT TO EDUCATION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN UP SERIOUSLY". Kashmir Excelsior. 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-04-15.
  5. ↑ "PAHALGAMI DONATED BOOK BANK TO GOVERNMENT HIGHER SECONDARY". Kashmir News Service. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 2015-06-09.
  6. ↑ "Mushtaq Pahalgami donates books". 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  7. ↑ "Eminent social activist Pahalgami donates books to GHSS". 2015-12-07. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  8. ↑ "Mushtaq Pahalgami donated book bank to Government Higher Secondary School Aishmuqam". 2015-08-08. Retrieved 2016-05-07.
  9. 1 2 "Swine Flu Epidemic:Government Evading Responsibility". Kashmir Excelsior. 2015-02-27. Retrieved 2015-03-05.
  10. ↑ "HWO Organized free medical Camp". 5 Dariya News. 2014-09-23. Retrieved 2015-03-05.
  11. 1 2 Kashmir, Precious (2014-08-27). "Environment Protection Law". Precious Kashmir. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  12. 1 2 "Save Pahalgam". Precious Kashmir. 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  13. 1 2 "Threat to environment - Rising Kashmir.". Risingkashmir.com. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  14. 1 2 Pahalgami, Mushtaq (2015-01-11). "Felling and smuggling of trees going on in Pahalgam Golf Course". Kashmir Excelsior. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  15. 1 2 Kashmir, Precious (2015-02-03). "Protect wetlands: HWO". Precious Kashmir. Retrieved 2015-03-05.
  16. ↑ "FIRs BE FILED AGAINST THE PHE DEPARTMENT: PAHALGAMI". Kashmir News Service. 2015-04-04. Retrieved 2015-04-15.
  17. ↑ "Sewerage treatment at Pahalgam in shambles, authorities unmoved". Kashmir News Service. 2015-04-04. Retrieved 2015-04-14.
  18. ↑ "WORLD EARTH DAY CELEBRATED AT PAHALGAM". Kashmir News Service. 22 April 2015. Retrieved 2015-04-23.
  19. ↑ "Leakage in water pipes causes soil erosion in Pahalgam forests". Kashmir Reader. 2015-04-04. Retrieved 2015-06-09.
  20. ↑ "KNS, HWO organizes seminar on RTI". Kashmir News Service. 15 October 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-12-23. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  21. 1 2 "Activist allege government departments for not obeying RTI act". Kashmirdaily.net. 2015-03-04. Retrieved 2015-03-16.
  22. 1 2 3 "A Long Arduous Struggle for Rights, Conservation of Environment in Pahalgam". Kashmir Excelsior. 2015-03-18. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
  23. 1 2 3 "Five years on, authorities fail to revise master plan for Pahalgam". Kashmir Reader. 2015-03-30. Retrieved 2015-04-15.
  24. ↑ "MUSHTAQ REPRESENTS HWO, PAHALGAM AT GPIW". Kashmir News Service. 24 May 2015. Retrieved 2015-06-09.
  25. ↑ "Pahalgam tourism bodies resist shifting of TRC". 2015-12-10. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  26. ↑ "Tackling the many Challlanges of Poverty". 5 Dariya News. 2014-10-20. Retrieved 2015-03-05.
  27. ↑ "Save girl save future". 2015-10-14. Retrieved 2015-11-01.
  28. ↑ "HWO Expresses Support, Solidarity to ongoing women rights movements in the world". 2015-03-09. Retrieved 2015-03-09.
  29. ↑ "Countering Dowry in Kashmir: The need for collective action". Kashmir Excelsior. 2015-03-18. Retrieved 2015-03-18.
  30. ↑ "Countering Dowry in Kashmir: The need for Collective effort". The Global Kashmir. 2015-07-09. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
  31. ↑ "Municipal Committee polluting major rivulet in Pahalgam with garbage". Kashmir Reader. 24 April 2015. Retrieved 2015-06-09.
  32. ↑ "Pahalgam Municipal employees' continue strike". Earlytimes.in. 2015-05-22. Retrieved 2015-06-09.
  33. ↑ "Abolishing Municipal committee Pahalgam is unconstitutional:Mehraj Lone". www.scoopnews.in. 2015-05-22. Retrieved 2015-06-09.
  34. ↑ "Railway track at Pahalgam, Sonamarg anti people: Pahalgami". Kashmir News Service. 2015-05-13. Retrieved 2015-06-09.
  35. ↑ "Government abolishes Pahalgam, Gulmarg Municipal Committees". www.kashmirreader.com/. 2015-05-21. Retrieved 2015-06-09.
  36. ↑ "Municipal employees begin indefinite strike at Pahalgam". www.kashmirdispatch.com/. 2015-05-22. Retrieved 2015-06-09.
  37. ↑ "We are also citizens of the state but ignored time and again:Mushtaq Pahalgami". 2015-08-19. Retrieved 2016-05-07.
  38. ↑ "Pahalgam tourism bodies resist shifting of TRC: Accuse Shah of legalizing illegal Yanad huts". Earlytimes.in. 2015-12-10. Retrieved 2016-05-07.
  39. 1 2 "Coallition of Unions Pahalgam demands revised master-plan". Kashmir Excelsior. 2015-03-23. Retrieved 2015-03-24.
  40. ↑ "Pahalgam residents urge Mufti to approve MPP". Early Times. 2015-03-23. Retrieved 2015-03-24.
  41. ↑ "Paradise lost, and well regained!". Precious Kashmir. 2014-08-12. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  42. 1 2 "HWO Organizes free medical camp". 5 Dariya News. 2014-09-23. Retrieved 2016-05-07.
  43. ↑ "RTI Happenings: J&K: KNS, HWO organizes seminar on RTI". Rtiindia.org. 2014-10-16. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  44. 1 2 "Omar's free ration announcement irks homeless flood victims - Early Times Newspaper Jammu Kashmir". Earlytimes.in. 2014-10-14. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  45. ↑ "Seminar Held at Aishmuqam". www.knskashmir.com. 2015-03-28. Retrieved 2015-03-31.
  46. ↑ "Kashmir Floods: Are we Asking the Right Questions?". Kashmir Reader. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  47. 1 2 "False Promises and Electoral Woes". 5dariyanews.com. 2014-10-25. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  48. ↑ "PDA ruining Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam". Daily Excelsior. 2016-03-27. Retrieved 2016-04-18.
  49. ↑ "Pahalgam residents urge CM to approve MPP". 2016-04-11. Retrieved 2016-04-18.
  50. ↑ "Tourists, people suffer as public toilets defunct at Pahalgam". Kashmir Reader. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-18.
  51. ↑ "Environmental activists demand action against all influential land grabbers". Kashmir Reader. 2016-02-16. Retrieved 2016-04-18.
  52. ↑ "Seven months after cabinet approval, Pahalgam master plan unimplemented". Kashmir Reader. 2016-04-12. Retrieved 2016-04-18.
  53. 1 2 Pehalgami, Mushtaq (2015-01-29). "Government needs to have a strong forest replenishment policy". Kashmir Excelsior. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  54. ↑ "PDA foils Ex MLA's land grab attempt in Pahalgam". 2015-12-02. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  55. ↑ "Government can't bypass High Court, say legal experts". Early Times. 2015-07-07. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
  56. ↑ "The Himalayan Welfare Organization organizes free camp". The Global Kashmir. 2015-07-06. Retrieved 2015-07-12.
  57. ↑ "Lawmakers accuse Pollution Control Board of corruption". Kashmir Reader. 7 June 2015. Retrieved 2015-06-09.
  58. ↑ "Seminar on environment conservation held at Pahalgam". Greater Kashmir. 2015-06-06. Retrieved 2015-06-09.
  59. ↑ "Aalami Mahauliyati din par Pahalgam mein takhreeb". epaper.kashmiruzma.net/. 2015-06-07. Retrieved 2015-06-09.
  60. ↑ "HWO ORGANIZES SEMINAR ON ENVIRONMENT". www.knskashmir.com. 6 June 2015. Retrieved 2015-06-09.
  61. ↑ "SEMINAR HELD AT AISHMUQAM". www.knskashmir.com. 28 March 2015. Retrieved 2015-06-09.
  62. ↑ Kashmir, Precious (2014-08-19). "Save Pahalgam". Precious Kashmir. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  63. ↑ "Warwan, Marwah: A Trek to remember". Precious Kashmir. 2014-08-18. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  64. ↑ "Look who’s polluting Pahalgam". Kashmir Reader. 2014-05-24. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  65. ↑ "Clean our environs - Rising Kashmir. Latest News, Breaking News From Kashmir, Kashmir`s very own English Daily". Risingkashmir.com. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  66. ↑ "Eight years on reconstruction of Pahalgam Club nowhere in sight Lastupdate:- Mon, 15 Jul 2013 18:30:00 GMT". Greaterkashmir.com. 2013-07-15. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  67. ↑ "PDA demolition notices to Movera hotel owners raises brows - Early Times Newspaper Jammu Kashmir". Earlytimes.in. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  68. ↑ "Activist Allege Government Departments for not Obeying RTI Act". Kashmir Excelsior. 2015-03-04. Retrieved 2015-03-05.
  69. ↑ "Move to raise entry fee for Betab valley leaves locals fuming". 2015-06-04. Retrieved 2015-06-09.
  70. ↑ "Adults to pay Rs100, children Rs 50". www.earlytimes.in/. 2015-06-03. Retrieved 2015-06-09.
  71. ↑ "Municipal machinery in the state is in a state of Shambles". Kashmir Excelsior. 2015-02-03. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  72. ↑ "Of Incumbents and Incumbency". Precious Kashmir. 2014-10-29. Retrieved 2015-03-02.

External links

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