Preservation of Gharana wetland
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 22: In the much publicized Public Interest Litigation (PIL) regarding preservation of Gharana wetland, Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court comprising Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi has directed Senior AAG SS Nanda to file latest status report by or before the next date in terms of earlier order.
When the PIL came-up for hearing, Division Bench observed, “it is mentioned in the status report dated 02.04.2016 that the Forest Department vide Order No.FST/20 of 1981 dated 04.02.1981 has accorded sanction to notify five wetlands of Jammu Province namely, Pargwal, Gharana, Sangral, Kukrian and Nanga in pursuance to the Cabinet Decision No.35 dated 02.02.1981 under the provision of J&K Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978”.
“It is further contended that these wetlands have not been formally handed over to the Wildlife Protection Department since 1981, however, the Wildlife Protection Department is managing the area with regard to the ward and watch/anti poaching activities by deploying its official to keep the vigil against hunting of wild animals and birds”, the DB observed.
“This court vide order dated 15.02.2022 had directed the respondents to apprise the court with regard to actual position regarding the handing over of the area to the Jammu and Kashmir Wild Life Protection Department. The report has not been filed by the respondents”, the DB said.
Upon this, DB directed Senior AAG S S Nanda to file latest status report by or before the next date of hearing as was directed earlier in terms of order dated 05.10.2021 as well as order dated 15.02.2022.
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