Plea raises serious environmental concerns
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Dec 10: Acknowledging the gravity of the environmental concerns, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the J&K Government, seeking its response on the establishment of a new industrial estate at Trenz in South Kashmir’s Shopian district, near the Rambiara River.
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The petition was filed by activist Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, who alleged that the 500 kanals-approximately 63 acres-of Government land acquired for the project is situated within the floodplain of the Rambiara River.
The matter was heard by a three-member Principal Bench of the NGT headed by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, with Expert Members Dr. A. Senthil Vel and Dr. Afroz Ahmad also presided.
Senior Advocate Saurabh Sharma, representing the petitioner, argued before the bench that the land is barely 30 metres from the Rambiara and lies directly within the natural floodway during high water flow.
He contended that locating the industrial estate on one bank effectively encroaches upon the river, posing a severe threat to residents on the opposite bank.
This, he warned, could trigger flooding and destroy agricultural fields and apple orchards across nearly a dozen downstream villages.
“The industrial estate is being located on one side of the river, encroaching upon the river, which will create danger to the residents on the other bank, resulting in flooding of the area and destruction of agricultural fields and apple orchards in almost a dozen villages in Shopian and Pulwama districts downstream,” the petitioner’s counsel argued.
To substantiate the flood risk, Advocate Sharma cited the draft District Disaster Management Plan for Shopian, which hold that one-third of the district is vulnerable to floods and flash floods.
He also presented the site plan from the J&K State Industrial Development Corporation (SIDCO), showing that the estate is planned immediately adjacent to the river within the floodplain.
The NGT bench, acknowledging the seriousness of the concerns, observed: “The Original Application raises substantial issues relating to compliance of environmental norms.”
Accordingly, the Tribunal issued formal notice to the respondents-the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and others. The applicant was directed to serve the respondents and file an affidavit of service at least one week before the next hearing.
Notably, the project was approved by the Administrative Council headed by the Lieutenant Governor in February 2024.
The approval cleared the establishment of the industrial estate in Trenz village at an estimated cost of around Rs 68 crore on 500 kanals of state land near the Rambiara riverbanks.
The case has been listed for its next hearing before the NGT on February 24, 2026.
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