Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 4: High Court today directed the authorities to implement the decisions taken by the Monitoring Committee on Dal lake and has sought action taken report.
The directions were passed after Monitoring Committee of Government on Dal lake informed the High Court that it has taken certain decisions for preservation of Dal lake.
The Division Bench of Justice MH Attar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey after perusal of minutes of meeting held by Monitoring Committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary wherein eight decisions have been taken for protection of the Lake, directed that these decisions shall constitute the court directions and shall be bound on all the concerned authorities to implement them.
“The action taken report in terms of eight decisions be reported to court before next date”, DB directed.
The Government has convened its first meeting about the safeguarding of lake under the directions of court and has expressed the commitment to take all necessary steps to safeguard water bodies in the state.
Monitoring Committee in its meeting requested its member senior advocate Z A Shah who is also amicus curie to the PIL to suggest measures and steps to be taken for evolving a permanent mechanism for conservation and preservation of Dal and Nigeen Lakes and other water bodies.
It may be mentioned that the High Court in its recent order directed the Government to implement its all directions in letter and spirit passed in the PIL from time to time till the permanent mechanism is evolved by the monitoring committee.
Advocate Shah while deliberating on the issue said that the High Court from time to time, since 2002 has passed almost 200 directions in the PIL for protection and preservation of the Dal Lake to various stake holders of the Government but still a lot is required to be done on ground level.
The Financial Commissioner Planning who is also one of the members of committee endorsed the view points of advocate Shah and added that the monitoring committee needs to recommend the establishment of four components which include ‘Administrative Structure, Legislative Structure, Scientific Structure and Financial Structure’.
After making deliberations on all the issues and difficulties in saving the lake eight decisions have been taken by the committee which include passing of legislation for the preservation of all water bodies.
“Commissioner /Secretary to Government Law & Justice would work out the formulation of a comprehensive legal frame work for the enactment of a strong legislation for the preservation of all water bodies in the State in consultation with amicus curie and other stake holders”, reads one of the decisions.
In its second decision Commissioner /Secretary H&UDD has been asked to take action for formulation of a scientific advisory committee which as per the monitoring committee has an important role for providing scientific guidance for conservation and management of these lakes. “The scientific expertise of various fields of reputed institutions be explored and it shall be ensured that the scientific advisory committee is in place so that the scientific advises are converted into action on ground”, reads the decision of committee.
About the rehabilitation of Dal dwellers both Commissioner /Secretary H&UDD as also VC LAWDA have been asked to expedite the development of Rakh-e-Arth Colony and invite an expression of interest under PPP mode on the analogy adopted by Government of Maharashtra for rehabilitation and development of slums.
In its another decision Commissioner /Secretary H&UDD, VC LAWDA and SE LAWDA have been asked to take steps for proper demarcation of prohibited zone (which is 200 meters) from the periphery of both Dal and Nigeen lakes with proper signages. “Geo-tagging of the same shall be taken up on the same module as has been adopted by the Forest Department”, decision reads.
With regard to security in and around the lakes to prevent any illegal construction, the Financial Commissioner Planning, H&UDD as also the Police Department have been asked to take steps for strengthening of the enforcement wing of LAWDA and a proposal for placement of police personnel on permanent deputation to be submitted to IGP.
Commissioner /Secretary H&UDD has also been asked to take measures for management and conservation of the Dal and Nigeen lakes as is being under taken in other lakes of the country more particularly in Bhopal.
In another decision, Commissioner /Secretary H&UDD has been asked to take action on the issue of providing number of plots to each structure for rehabilitation on the basis of recommendations of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir.
Monitoring committee is going to hold its 2nd meeting on June 18 as the High Court has directed that a calendar be fixed for convening of subsequent meetings in the 2nd meeting.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel