Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 15 High Court today said that spot inspection by the Court of the banks of Wullar Lake is necessary where garbage is thrown and asked the Government counsel to make possibility with regard to visit on spot.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice and Justice Sanjay Dhar while hearing the PIL seeking removal of garbage which is being dumped on the banks of Lake situated in north Kashmir, said that given the nature of controversy involved in the matter a court visit may be necessary.
In this regard DB directed the Government counsel to examine the possibility keeping in view of the current situation in mind and consultation with Registrar General so that spot inspection can be done on site in question.
The direction has been passed as no response has been filed by the authorities as they were directed. Court on previous hearing had issued show cause notice to the authorities for filing of status report within six days with regard to throwing the garbage on the banks of Wullar lake in north Kashmir.
Advocate Nazir submitted before the bench that with impunity in violation of the rules governing the field, the garbage collected by the Municipal Council Sopore is being dumped on the banks of the lake causing grave harm to the ecology and environment of the water body by converting it into garbage site.
He submitted that the area is environmentally sensitive and in terms of Wetland Conservation and Management Rules, 2017, no such activity can be undertaken by the respondents in the area under any circumstances which can be detrimental to the natural balance of the lake.
Court issued fresh notice to Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change through its secretary for filing of response in the matter.
It is Central Auqaf Committee Tarzoo consisting of eight Auqaf Committees of the area, filed the instant PIL seeking a slew of directions to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, J&K Government and to Municipal Council for immediate removal of garbage dumped in violation of provision of the law on the spot.
“A direction to the Municipal Council Sopore to stop dumping of municipal solid waste on the Ramsar wetland site situated at Dharnambal-Ningli Tarzoo in Sopore which falls within the delineated periphery pillars of the Wular Conservation and Management Authority (WUCMA) and also within the limits of Hygam-Ningli-Tarzoo Tourism Development Authority”, reads the PIL.
Petitioners urge before the court for developing the area in planned manner given its huge tourism potential while taking care of the environmental sensitivities. It is alleged that the Municipal Council Sopore has started dumping solid waste on the boundary of the Wular Lake against the Solid Waste Management Rules. Resulting into converting the site in question into a stinky marsh.
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