HC raps LAWDA for failure to retrieve land, remove constructions from Dal

Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Sept 27: The High Court today rapped  Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) for its failure to acquire the encroached land and removing unauthorized constructions from inside the Dal lake.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmad and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey came down heavily on VC LAWDA who was present in the court for failure of acquiring the encroached land inside the lake and also removing the unauthorized constructions.
Court while referring the agenda of meeting held on August 31 by Monitoring Committee of Dal lake under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary in which issue for strengthening of the enforcement wing a decision has been taken that IGP Kashmir will keep an additional company consisting 45 to 50 police personnel at the disposal of LAWDA so that the existing manpower with it be made further strong to deal with violators.
But some objections have been raised in Police Department for dearth of police personnel who are engaged in law and order duties. Now court today in this regard directed IGP Kashmir to issue a clear order indicating therein that as and when the LAWDA authorities call for the police personnel, they shall be made available to LAWDA immediately.
Court further added that if prior information is given then it leaks out and the drives for demolition or removing of encroachments which are to be undertaken by LAWDA are met with public resistance which stops the entire objective of removing unauthorized constrictions and encroachments.
In August 31 Monitoring committee meeting a decision with regard to expeditious development of Rakh-e-Arth Colony was taken and its earlier decision has been modified and now the H&UDD has been entrusted with formulation of business proposal for establishing of dwelling units and shifting place.
The matter of black topping of roads at Rakh-e-Arth as per the DPR submitted by the VC JKLDA has also to be finalized by the Administrative Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Department and in this connection court has been  informed that the tendering process has already been initialed by the for the said purpose.
Court has also been informed about the removal of lily pads which on the previous occasion was shown as 0.3 SqKms surface had been cleared for water lilies and the said coverage has been increased by 0.8 SqKms. For the said purpose, court has been apprised through photographic evidence indicating the progress of removal of lily pads as also de-weeding.
Court further directed for utilizing the huge amount of biomass in the form of lily pads and weeds which are removed from the Lake and in this regard court emphasized to bring the department and Agriculture and Production in the loop for utilizing the same by way of fertilizer.
Court for up-gradation and augmentation of the wetlands has been informed        that DPRS are in the process for this purpose.
Court directed that special attention          should also be given to the suggestion of the Scientific Advisory Committee of       planting vegetation of a specialized nature which would help in holding the sillt       and uptake of nutrients.
For launching the 3D modeling of floor of the Dal Lake, court has been  informed       that the demo  of 3D modeling has been in the second week of October.
“A status       report with regard to the same be submitted before the next date of hearing”, DB        directed.
For up-gradation of laboratory in LAWDA, court has been informed that an amount of Rs 25 crores has been released so far and out of which the process of acquiring the equipment would be initiated at the earliest. Court on this aspect sought report by next date.
Court directed the Commissioner Secretary of H&UDD for report with regard to clear cut time line for up-gradation of existing STPs and setting up of new one which till date has not been done and in case of failure court directed him to be personally present on next date.
Court has been shown the slide show prepared by assisting amicus (advocate Sajad Mir) which revealed that the Anchar Lake is at the verge of vanishing and the plight of Gilsar and Khushalsar is also the same. Court directed the VC LAWDA to submit maps of these lakes clearly demarcating the areas covered by these lakes.
Court has been informed that LAWDA has submitted two separate proposals for rejuvenation of these lakes and ERA in this connection has been directed to expedite the same for obtaining the relevant funding from Asian Development Bank (ADB).

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