Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 27: The J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that environmental compensation will be imposed on Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Municipal Council Chadoora, and Municipal Council Budgam within six weeks.
The case pertains to the Doodh Ganga mining and pollution issue, where large-scale pollution has been found to continue affecting Doodh Ganga in Chadoora and Srinagar, as well as Mamath Kul in Budgam.
In this regard, the NGT has also directed the Commissioner Secretary of Environment & Forests, J&K, to provide a clear timeline for the construction and commissioning of Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) along Doodh Ganga to combat pollution.
Petitioner Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat told the tribunal that illegal mining over the past three to four years has weakened the river embankments, causing soil erosion, landslides, and breaches in three irrigation canals-Kralpur Kul, Doyan Kul, and Masar Kul-affecting more than 5,000 kanals of agricultural land.
The case was heard by the Principal Bench of the NGT, comprising Justice Prakash Srivastava and Dr. Senthil Veil, in New Delhi.
Dr. Bhat was represented by environmental lawyers Rahul Chowdhary and Kaustav Dhar, while the J&K Government was represented by Advocates Gautam Singh and Suman Arora (CPCB).
The tribunal expressed dissatisfaction with the Government’s response regarding STPs from Barzulla to Chadoora, noting the absence of a definitive timeline and lack of clarity on STP implementation at Mamath Kul in Budgam.
The bench directed the Secretary of Environment to file a fresh affidavit specifying the timeline for STP construction, commissioning, and 100% household connectivity.
The NGT also noted the joint committee report of September 24, 2025, highlighting non-compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, by the concerned municipal councils.
JKPCC confirmed that action for imposition of environmental compensation will be taken against these councils, with a report due within six weeks.
Advocate Rahul Chowdhary emphasized that no Government action has been taken for the restoration of Doodh Ganga.
The Government was granted six weeks to respond to allegations regarding illegal mining, landslides, and damage to the embankments and irrigation canals.
In previous instances, significant environmental compensation has been imposed: SMC paid Rs 1 crore in 2022 and Rs 42 crore last year, while MC Chadoora and MC Budgam each paid Rs 1 crore in 2022.
The Mining Department Budgam also contributed Rs 1 crore.
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