Issues notices to J&K Govt
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Feb 2: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) to assess the water quality of Manasbal Lake, a notified wetland in Ganderbal district, and identify sources of pollution affecting the water body.
The green court has also asked the two agencies to submit a status and action-taken report at least one week before the next date of hearing.
The directions were issued while hearing a petition filed by environmental and RTI activist Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat, who has raised concerns over pollution and encroachment of the lake.
The petitioner submitted that untreated sewage from at least 14 villages is being discharged into the Manasbal wetland through the Lar Canal, resulting in severe degradation of water quality.
It was further stated that Manasbal Lake is a notified wetland under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, and is also listed in the National Wetland Atlas of Jammu and Kashmir.
Photographic evidence was placed before the Tribunal to substantiate the claims of sewage discharge, along with scientific studies highlighting the deteriorating ecological health of the lake due to pollution, eutrophication, and excessive growth of macrophytes.
The matter was heard by the NGT’s Principal Bench comprising Justice Prakash Srivastava, Chairman, and expert member Dr Senthil Vel.
Advocates Rahul Chowdhary and Shreepuna Dasgupta, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that untreated sewage and solid waste were being discharged into the lake through the Lar canal and surrounding areas, causing severe pollution.
They further informed the Tribunal that water from the polluted lake was being supplied by the PHE Jal Shakti Department to nearly 30,000 residents of Ganderbal and Bandipora districts, raising serious public health concerns.
After hearing the submissions, the bench also issued notices to several authorities, including the Chief Secretary of J&K, Additional Chief Secretary Jal Shakti, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Mission Director Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) J&K, Chief Executive Officer of the Wullar-Manasbal Development Authority, Executive Engineer IFC Ganderbal, and several Block Development Officers of Ganderbal district.
These officials have been asked to file their replies by way of affidavits at least one week before the next hearing.
The case is now listed for hearing on April 22, 2026.
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