Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 1: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking direction to the State functionaries to stop any kind of encroachment on forest land in Ramnagar Wild Life Sanctuary or any other area, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice M M Kumar and Justice Hasnain Massodi has directed Chief Secretary, Secretary Forest and State Pollution Control Board to file status within four weeks.
While issuing directions to the State functionaries, the Division Bench observed, “this Public Interest Litigation filed by Jammu Consumer Council pertains to the year 2002. Chief Secretary, Secretary Forest Department and State Pollution Control Board are parties in this PIL”, adding “the prayer made in the PIL is for issuance of direction to Municipal Corporation to stop operation of mixers and vibrators for construction of tiles and drainage channels adjoining Manda Deer Park Jammu and direction to convert the area into green park”.
“The other directions sought against the Municipal Corporation were to stop converting park, garden, green field or pond in Jammu city into a pacca structure including Lala Hans Raj Park opposite Gurudawara Sunder Singh”, the DB said.
Senior Advocate M K Bhardwaj appearing for the PIL submitted that the substantial part of prayer has been granted as far as stopping of operation of mixtures and vibrators was concerned, as there was interim direction from the Division Bench.
“Even in respect of prayers for stopping the Municipal Corporation from converting any park, garden, green field or pond in Jammu city into pacca structure, the interim direction has been complied with. However, till date full details in respect of all the parks, gardens, green field or pond in Jammu city have not been divulged”, he said.
After hearing Senior Advocate M K Bhardwaj, Division Bench directed Advocate SS Nanda appearing for the JMC that he shall file status report within four weeks. “In respect of prayers made in Public Interest Litigation that State and its authorities be directed to develop forest on both sides of Tawi river for saving the forest land from encroachment, no response has been filed by the State”, the DB said, adding “even in respect of prayer that respondents be directed to stop any kind of encroachment on the forest land in Ramnagar Wild Life Sanctuary or any other area, no response has been filed”.
Accordingly, the Division Bench directed Chief Secretary, Forest Secretary as well as State Pollution Board to file status within four weeks.
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