Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 18: The High Court today directed the authorities to demarcate the wetlands and National Parks and get the networking of river Jhelum done.
The directions followed after the petitioner Counsel submitted before the Division Bench of Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmad and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey that the disaster of 2014 floods was man-made as the water bodies throughout the State are dying because of negligence on part of the authorities.
He submitted that it is not problem only in the Kashmir Division as he has also surveyed Jammu region as well where river Tawi is also dying and authorities are mute spectators and they (authorities) are not serious in saving the rivers and other water bodies including wet land in the State.
Court directed the authorities for demarcation of wildlife forest, wetlands, national parks and asked the authorities to carry out the demarcation immediately. Court directed Principal Chief Conservator Forests to file a detailed status report in this regard on next date.
Court has appointed Commissioner/Secretary to Forest Department as Nodal Officer for demarcation process and directed him to ensure that the exercise be completed by or before next date.
Court also directed Commissioner / Secretary of PHE & I&FC department for establishing network of river Jhelum and wetland and sought action plan from him in this connection by next date.
Court has noted the status report of Principal Chief Conservator Forests wherein it is stated that major cause of floods is deforestation and melting of glaciers. “It is imperative that deforestation be stopped as also uncontrolled grazing at high altitudes be also discontinued so that flashfloods in forest area are prevented”, DB said.
Petitioner Counsel also submitted that wetlands have been totally neglected resulting in the decrease of migratory birds in these wetlands.
He has also pointed out to the court that Ministry of Water Resources has suggested that unabated drudging should be stopped at zero bridge as the banks on either sides of the river have become weak and will collapse because sedimentation date is not available with the Government for dredging whether it is river or any other water body.
With regard to constitution of State Water Resources Regulatory Authority, court has been informed that proposal for appointment of chairman and its members was placed before the Cabinet on August 9 and Cabinet has desired that the said proposal be placed and considered in the next Cabinet meeting. Court directed the approval of Cabinet decision on this issue be placed before the court on next date.
It may be mentioned here that State Water Resources Regulatory Authority under J&K Water Resources Act 2010 which comprised of Chairman and its three members is appointed by the Government on the recommendation of a selection committee and has power to acquire, hold and dispose of property both movable and immovable and the said authority is dysfunctional since 2015.
Court while reiterating its previous directions today made it clear that no constructional activities be carried out in and around wetlands.
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