Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 27: In the much publicized Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking protection and restoration of Dal lake to its original position, Division Bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Sanjay Dhar has directed Vice-Chairman of Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) to ensure that the recommendations made by the Committee of Experts (CoE) are implemented in letter and spirit.
The Committee of Experts has recommended that any work of repair should ensure that the area of the island park remains limited to the existing status with no addition whatsoever. It has also recommended that the Vice-Chairman shall also ensure that the cadastral boundary of the park is clearly marked on the map and on the ground and it shall also be ensured that the toilet in the park does not release any effluent into the lake that is beyond acceptable limits and also the frequent and regular test of effluent will be carried out by SPCB and LAWDA.
After careful perusal of the report of the CoE and the minutes dated 20th June, 2020, the DB directed Secretary Royal Spring Golf Course to strictly follow the commendations and directions of the Committee of Experts. “Secretary RSGC and VC LAWDA will monitor and prevent release of any pollutants into the lake through run-off, leaching or in any other manner. Also, the release of excess water through the gates along the RSGC boundary and drawl of water from the Dal will be done after due intimation to VC LAWDA. The testing of water samples as directed earlier will also be done”, the DB added.
As it was brought to the notice of the DB that there is no police official to assist the LAWDA, the DB directed Home Secretary of UT of Jammu & Kashmir to forthwith look into this matter and ensure that the needful is done in this regard. The DB also issued directions for forwarding re-organization plan of LAWDA to the Committee of Experts for its recommendations.
“An action taken report on the directions of the CoE be placed by LAWDA before the committee within two weeks from today. The action taken report shall give full details of all steps taken for the land acquisition”, the DB said and directed the Urban Environmental Engineering Department (UEED) and J&K Pollution Control Board (SPCB) to file a report before the CoE within two weeks from today.
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