Legal brakes loom on Kashmir off-roading enthusiasts

SRINAGAR: Off-roading has hit its first legal hump in Kashmir just as its popularity was accelerating, with a case filed against a social media influencer amid public and political outrage over use of high-powered 4x4 vehicles through the region’s lush meadows and forests.Off-roading refers to driving vehicles through unpaved and unfamiliar routes in remote areas, including through snow, narrow forest trails or rocky routes.Police in central Kashmir’s Budgam registered the case under Indian Forest Act against Imad-ur-Rehman after a video surfaced showing youngsters driving Thar vehicles in the ecologically sensitive Brenwar forests of Pir Panjal mountains. The video has evoked intense debate on social media with many urging the administration to take action against what they called “a clique of pampered and silver-spoon fed elites who show no respect for nature”.A senior police official said the case was filed on a complaint from the forest department, and several high-powered Mahindra Thar vehicles had been seized. Imad, the owner of Imadclicks, a Srinagar-based photography firm, and others have been booked for trespassing into forests after removing a barricade. Imad led the convoy of Thars into the area and later posted a 12-minute video of Ashtaar, a scenic, high-altitude valley in Pir Panjal range.

Imad defended his actions. “There have to be legalised off-roading trails in Kashmir. Off-roading is not a crime anywhere in the world. Filing FIRs and pushing youth to jails for outdoor activities is sad,” Imad wrote on X.Not many appeared to be on board. PDP’s Iltija Mufti hailed Budgam deputy commissioner Bilal Bhat for taking action and was appalled that instead of showing remorse, the off-roaders bragged about their reckless behavior on social media like a badge of honor.

“Kashmir’s mountains, meadows, rivers, and lakes are not anyone’s playground. Certainly not meant for juvenile off-roading,” Iltija said.Sheikh-Saba, an entrepreneur and off-road enthusiast, said such sorties had taken off in the Valley over the past decade. He said most off-roaders use modified Thars and Jeeps equipped with winches and motors to recover stuck vehicles. “They also feature roll cages to protect drivers during rollovers, extra oil tanks mounted at the back, and air snorkels to ensure proper air intake.”The teams usually conduct reconnaissance surveys of trails using GPS mapping before each expedition. Several groups have been formed in recent years, including Motto Explorer Club and Kashmir Offroaders. They organise trips to Gulmarg, Gurez, Salamabad and even to Turtuk in Ladakh. Many such adventurers say they don’t need permission in permissible jungle areas.However, Irfan Rasool, chief conservator of forests, said “reserved forests are areas notified by govt primarily for silvicultural (forest land management) purposes and the protection of ecosystem services”, adding any activity that does not align with these objectives is strictly prohibited.Off-roading is not permitted within reserved forests as it causes severe damage to flora and fauna. “Vehicle noise also scares wildlife. Also, customary rights granted to tribal communities allow them limited access to collect small quantities of fuelwood, fodder or timber and to graze their cattle,” Rasool explained, adding such vehicle trips affect these rights.Rasool dismissed arguments by some who justify off-roading citing examples of European countries. “It is rare. Even if it happens, it is done in private forests and not in government forests,” the official said.