Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 24: Terming the approach of Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) and other departments as ‘adhoc and in-sensentive’ over conservation of Dal Lake from encroachments and pollutants, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court today summoned the Chief Secretary and three Commissioner Secretaries before the court.
The Division Bench of Justice MH Attar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey sought personal appearance of Chief Secretary and other three Commissioner Secretaries of the State before the court on in the first week of April. “We direct the Chief Secretary of the State, Commissioner Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department, Commissioner Secretary Tourism Department and Commissioner Secretary Finance & Planning to remain present before the court on next date”, reads court order.
“It was highlighted that for last almost 14 years this court has been issuing directions, but the desired results have not concretized till date. It was admitted across the board that this issue would require to be settled once for all”, said the court.
Court also directed the Joint Secretary Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Government of India to remain present before the court on next date with the observation to find out the permanent and stable via-media to preserve the lake from destruction and extinction.
Court also issued notice to various hotel owners and General Managers including Centaur Hotel, Grand Palace and Director SKIMS Hospital to show cause as to why their hotels be not closed for violating the provision of law. “These authorities are directed to show cause as to why their business establishments are not closed for noncompliance with the statutory provisions”, court directed.
Court also asked the Advocate General of the State to appear in the case on next date as he was asked on last date of hearing to evolve some mechanism for putting on place a ‘permanent mechanism’ for preservation of various water bodies including that of Dal lake.
Court also observed that there is a lot of deficiency of infrastructure in LAWDA and it is beyond their control to deal with the issue as they (LAWDA) were supposed to save the Lake on their own but they are waiting for court directions and despite that court observed that “nothing seems to be achieved on ground level”.
Court also observed that it has to be self starter on part of LAWDA instead of waiting court directions. “It is there (LAWDA’s) baby to protect, preserve and conserve the lake not the baby of court as they (LAWDA) are under this impression that the matter is before the court but complete ‘adhoc and insensitive’ approach on part of LAWDA.
Court deferred its effective consideration on the matter till presence of CS and Commissioner Secretaries including Joint Secretary of Tourism and Culture Union of India so as to find out the everlasting solution for protection and preservation of the lake.
It is worthwhile to mention that the Lakes and Waterways Authority (LAWDA) has already in its compliance report filed before the court expressed its inability to deal with the encroachers who have encroached the famous Dal Lake and submits that Land Mafia is making wrong impression in general public against LAWDA.
In its compliance under and in terms of court directions as the court is monitoring the safety of the Lake, the Vice Chairman of LAWDA states that the authority is facing a lot of difficulties and opposition against clearing the lake from encroachments.
He has mentioned in the report that the authority is lacking manpower in its enforcement wing while making demolition drive against illegal and unauthorized constructions in and around the Dal lake as there is a stiff resistance from the general public.
Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by a Law student about the protection and conservation of world famous tourist destination Dal lake.
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