Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 27: High Court was today informed that Thajwas glacier at Sonmarg tourist resort has receded to 338 meters due to environmental degradation.
Court on previous hearing had that the Sonamarg is mainly known for its meadows and glaciers and observed it needs to be verified whether the glaciers are receding or not and directed the Earth Sciences Department Kashmir University to submit its comprehensive report in this regard.
Earth Sciences Department Kashmir University submitted its report which depicts that Thajwas glacier has receded to 338 meters for the past many years due to environmental degradation of the resort.
Advocate Nadeem Qadri amicus to the PIL informed the court that all the drainage which comes out from hotels and other sources directly goes to the river having negative impact on the ecology of the area.
He also submitted that for maintaining the resort Sonmarg Development Authority should also be a nodal agency of the resort.
Court directed the Building Operation Controlling Authority (BOCA) of Sonamarg Development Authority (SDA) to expedite the process for finalization of Environment Assessment Plan (EAP) drafted for the resort so that its Master Plan is revisited.
The orders have been passed in a petition relating to illegal construction on the banks of river Sindh. The petition was filed by an advocate and court has observed that in wake of alarming condition of Sonmarg the instant petition is treated as suomoto proceedings taken by the court in order to save the resort before it become a concrete jungle.
Follow our WhatsApp channel