Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 12: High Court today directed the authorities to inform it about the demarcation of River Sindh and removal of encroachments and sought response from them to address all other issues relating to the river.
Hearing the matter pertaining to prevent the River Sindh from pollutants and encroachments by raising illegal construction around the banks of river, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Sanjay Dhar directed the Advocate General to inform the court about the completion of demarcation of the river.
The Court has also sought information from the authorities with regard to removal of illegal construction which have come up on the banks of river Sindh. “In the meantime, the authorities will address all other issues regarding the Sindh Nalla (river) and file response accordingly”, DB directed.
The directions followed after the amicus to the PIL in relation to the prevention of pollution of River Sindh has come out with certain suggestions. Court directed him to bring those suggestions on record in writing and subsequently asked the Advocate General to take up the matter and submit his response.
“However, before submitting the response, if necessary, Advocate General may have a meeting with the concerned officers and if necessary, may even invite the Amicus Curie for discussion therein”, reads the order.
Court impressed upon the Amicus Curie to file the suggestions before the Court within a period of 10 days. Court noted that there is already an order directing for the demarcation of the Sindh Nalla (river) passed in the year 2013 and the respondents have been notifying that the task is under way and would be shortly completed.
Court in order to avoid overlapping of issues pertaining to water bodies said these issues shall be dealt with by the court separately and the instant petition would be confined to its original subject which is prevention of pollution of River Sindh and removal of illegal and authorized constructions in and around it.
The matter was initially filed to prevent the pollution of River Sindh which flows from Gumri and after passing through various villages joins river Jhelum between Sumbal and Srinagar and for removal of illegal constructions from the river side and its bed.
The scope of the matter was later on enlarged by the court and the four aspects viz Golden Meadow, Sonamarg, Thajiwas Glacier, Thajiwas Wildlife Sanctuary; and Sindh River were highlighted to be examined.
Court after perusal of the record said the PIL as is apparent was initiated for the prevention of pollution of River Sindh and for removal of all unauthorised constructions in and around it but the scope of the PIL had been gradually enlarged by various orders of the Court by including the issues with regard to pollution of river Jhelum discharge of untreated sewage water into it, reduction of width of all rivers, Master Plan of Sonamarg, movement of vehicular traffic, pony trails, Thajiwas Glacier, Thajiwas WildLife Sanctuary and preservation of the “Golden Meadows” of Sonamarg as also the location of the Golf Course in Sonamarg; establishment of solid waste management system; and pollution and preservation of Mansbal Lake.
Court said that since these issues are already under consideration of the court in different case and deemed it proper to henceforth all matters regarding the above said subject matters shall be dealt with by the court separately and the petition on hand would be confined to its original subject matter-the prevention of pollution of River Sindh and removal of illegal and unauthorised constructions in and around it.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel