NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal today sought the response from the Centre, Jammu and Kashmir Government and others on an environment activist’s plea seeking removal of unexploded and used shells from a firing range in the State and restore the area.
A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notices to the Defence Ministry, J&K Government and its forest department while seeking their reply by March 1.
The Tribunal was hearing a plea filed by environment activist and J&K resident, Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat, who sought directions to clear the Tosa Maidan meadow in Budgam district from the unexploded and used shells and restore the area.
The plea has stated that the State Government had given Tosa Maidan on lease to Army for a firing range in 1964 for a period of 50 years, which expired in April, 2014.
Bhat submitted that several “exploded and unexploded” shells are lying in this area and the Ministry has not removed the waste after the lease got over, which posed a looming threat to life and was causing water pollution. (AGENCIES)
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