Neighbour runs factories of terrorism, India building factories of progress: LG

April 23, 2026

Eveready Sets Up Rs 200 Cr Samba Plant; LG Flags Post-2021 Investment, Startup Surge In J&K

‘J&K’s development advancing with new sense of pride’

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 22: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today inaugurated Eveready Industries India Limited’s new industrial unit in Samba. The plant established with an investment of Rs 200 crore, will create local jobs, boost ancillary units, suppliers, and service providers, promote skill development, generate opportunities for women, and make a significant contribution to the economic development of Jammu Kashmir.

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“Inauguration of Eveready’s plant, along with the changed atmosphere in the Union Territory, reflects the sustained efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under whose leadership a new destiny has been written for Jammu Kashmir. His vision has turned the dream of a prosperous Jammu Kashmir into reality,” he said.

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Sinha observed that across Samba, Kathua, Jammu and many parts of Kashmir, the industrial revolution we are witnessing today is a living symbol of new era for Jammu Kashmir. He said in the past 5 years, the scale of industrial development has moved beyond mere economic figures and become the most powerful medium of transformation across Union Territory
“Establishing this esteemed company’s plant is a landmark moment for the entire Jammu and Kashmir. It signals readiness to embrace opportunity, serve the nation and light the way to the future. It also reflects strong confidence in the immense potential of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Addressing a gathering after inauguration ceremony, the Lieutenant Governor shared significant figures to highlight industrial transformation of Jammu and Kashmir after New Industrial Policy was launched in 2021. He said in financial year 2025-26 alone, Jammu and Kashmir attracted investment of Rs. 5,824 crore-more than 13 times the average investment recorded before 2021. In FY 2022-23 investment was Rs. 2,153 crore, in FY 2023-24 Rs. 3,389 crore, and in FY 2024-25 Rs. 4,145 crore. In addition, half the preliminary work has already been completed on 312 units worth Rs. 7,864 crore, with production expected to begin in FY 2026-27. Jammu Kashmir has also seen, for the first time, the establishment of several units with investments exceeding Rs. 500 crore, including Chiripal Polyfilms (Rs. 1,215 crore), Kandhari Beverages (Rs. 830 crore), and Aegios (Rs. 666 crore). Three more units are expected to start production in FY 2026-27.
“The number of startups has risen from just 69 in 2020 to 1,305 in FY 2025 26-a growth of over 1,800%. Combined with all industrial units and PMEGP supported units, millions of young people have gained better employment opportunities,” Sinha said.
On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor also paid homage to all the civilians who were martyred in the Pahalgam terrorist attack on 22nd April last year. He said we have not forgotten those who had dared to cast a covetous eye on our mothers’ and sisters’ Sindoor.
“I also recall the brave soldiers of Operation Sindoor, who had avenged every single tear. Today, the inauguration of this new industrial unit in Jammu and Kashmir is a clear and powerful declaration that India will neither halt nor pause, but will march forward on the path of development with renewed vigour and self confidence,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor said through today’s inauguration, we have also sent a message to the whole world that while our neighbouring country continues to run factories of terrorism, India is building factories of progress and success.
“Today we have told the world that while our neighbour’s factories churn out terrorists, India’s factories are engaged in nation building. We are also conveying that the economic potential, industrial energy and inclusive development of Jammu and Kashmir are advancing with a new sense of pride,” he said.
Mohit Burman, Non-Executive Director, Eveready Industries India Limited said that the state-of-the-art greenfield facility will generate around 500 direct and indirect employment opportunities at full scale in the region. He said the company also aims to contribute to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision.
Eveready’s new manufacturing plant boasts a robust annual peak production capacity of approximately 360 million alkaline batteries with an annual installed capacity of 456 million. Marking a significant scale-up in the industry’s production capabilities, Eveready’s Jammu facility will give an impetus to India’s domestic manufacturing while catering to the country’s growing demand for high-performance power solutions.
Arjun Lamba, Non-Executive Director; Eveready Industries India Limited; Anirban Banerjee, Chief Executive Officer; Bibek Agarwala, Executive Director and CFO; Sandeep Banerjee, Chief Human Resource Officer; Arun Sahay, Head Operations and other members of Eveready Industries India Limited were present.
Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department; Ayushi Sudan Deputy Commissioner Samba; Arun Kumar Manhas, Director, Industries & Commerce, Jammu; senior officials and representatives of trade and industrial organisations also attended the inaugural ceremony.

Rana calls for comprehensive strategy to address water scarcity in Kandi areas

Daily Excelsior

April 23, 2026

Minister Javed Rana meeting a delegation at Jammu on Wednesday.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 22: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today emphasised the need for a comprehensive and result-oriented strategy to tackle the growing water scarcity in Kandi areas, stating that the challenge requires coordinated and long-term interventions.
The Minister made these remarks while interacting with the public delegations at Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust (GDCT), where the people from various parts of Jammu highlighted their concerns, with water supply emerging as the key issue.
Stressing sustainable solutions, the Minister underscored the importance of creating water harvesting tanks across Kandi belts to capture rainwater that otherwise goes unutilised. He said such infrastructure can serve as dependable local water sources during the dry spells and reduce dependence on distant supply lines. He also called for intensified awareness drives to sensitise the communities about water conservation and the limited nature of groundwater reserves in these areas.
Rana stressed the need for effective dovetailing of efforts among the Jal Shakti, Rural Development, Forest and other line departments to ensure efficient water conservation and management. He highlighted that behavioural change among communities is as vital as infrastructure, urging judicious use of water in domestic consumption, agriculture and livestock rearing to prevent further depletion of already stressed sources.
The Minister directed the field officers to strengthen ground-level monitoring to detect and plug leakages in the water supply network, noting that such losses deprive end users of their rightful share. He instructed the officers to conduct regular inspections of pipelines, storage tanks and distribution points to ensure optimal utilisation of available resources.
To ensure equitable distribution in water-stressed areas like Bathindi, the Minister directed the officials to implement alternate-day water supply and held field officers accountable for the quality and regularity of monitoring reports.
Earlier, a delegation from Bathindi raised the issue of irregular water supply and demanded drilling of a borewell in Sagri Mohalla. Another delegation from Chowadhi highlighted water scarcity and the poor condition of roads.
Delegations from Samba, Akhnoor and other areas of Jammu division also presented their grievances and sought early redressal.
The officers informed the Minister that work on six borewells in Bathindi and adjoining areas is underway and nearing completion, which is expected to significantly ease water scarcity and ensure a reliable supply.
Later, the Minister held a detailed interaction with the officers and trustees regarding establishment of a Tribal Museum at GDCT. The proposed museum is envisioned as a dedicated space to preserve and showcase the rich cultural heritage, traditions and history of the tribal communities of Jammu & Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Chief Engineer I&FC, Jammu, Manoj Gupta, Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu, Dr V S Senthil Kumar; Director Tribal Affairs Department, Mohd Mumtaz Ali, Chief Engineer PHE, Mohd Hanief; Director Tribal Research Institute Dr Abdul Khabir and other officers. Trustees of GDCT including Patron in Chief Abdul Hamid Coudhary, Chairman Arshad Ali Choudhary Showkat Choudhary and General Secretary Er. M. Sadiq Azad also attended the meeting.

Rehari Kings to face Mulan CC in Jambu Lochan T20 final

Daily Excelsior

April 23, 2026

Dignitaries presenting player of the match award during post-match ceremony.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 22: Rehari Kings XI will take on Mulan Cricket Club in the final of the 1st Jambu Lochan T20 Cricket Tournament after winning their respective semifinal clashes at MA Stadium, Jammu today.
In the first semifinal, Rehari Kings XI defeated Apex Cricket Club in a thrilling last-over finish. Batting first, Rehari posted 139/9 in 20 overs, with Puneet Kumar scoring 43 off 27 balls and Vikas Lakhotra making 30 off 18. Rahul was the pick of the bowlers for Apex with four wickets for 14 runs.
In reply, Apex CC fought hard, led by Sumit Kumar’s brilliant 76 off 50 balls. Needing six runs off the final delivery, he managed only a boundary as Rehari Kings XI sealed a dramatic one-run victory. Chahat Choudhary, Kewal and Deepak Manhas took two wickets each, while Deep and Rahul claimed one wicket each. Deepak Manhas was declared Man of the Match, an award presented by Ajay Sharma, General Secretary All J&K Powerlifting Association, Sanjay Puri, former national handball player and Amit Gupta, MD Friends Dancing Institute.
In the second semifinal, Mulan Cricket Club defeated Tantray Sports Club comfortably. Tantray were bowled out for 84 in 17.2 overs, with Kanav scoring 27. Rahul Jamwal starred with four wickets for 17 runs, while Captain Anchal Singh took three for 12.
Mulan CC chased the target in 9.2 overs, losing just one wicket. Akash Choudhary scored 40 off 26 balls, while Shaurya remained unbeaten on 40 off 24 balls. Vijay Dogra took the lone wicket. Rahul Jamwal was named Man of the Match, awarded by Nariender Mahajan, former President J&K Handball Association, and Surjit Choudhary.

2 ships attacked in Strait of Hormuz, complicating diplomatic efforts to resume talks

Daily Excelsior

April 23, 2026

DUBAI, Apr 22 : Two ships came under attack Wednesday in the Strait of Hormuz, the British military said, complicating efforts to bring the United States and Iran together in Pakistan for talks to end the war.

Wednesday morning, Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard attacked a container ship, damaging it but causing no injuries. The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre did not immediately identify who shot at the second ship, but suspicion immediately fell on Iran.

In the second attack, a cargo ship said it had been fired upon and was stopped in the water. It said there was no reported damage to the vessel.

The two attacks came days after the US seized attacks in the Strait of Hormuz came after the US seized an Iranian container ship after shooting it this past weekend and boarded an oil tanker associated with Iran’s oil trade in the Indian Ocean.

Late on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said the US would indefinitely extend the ceasefire with Iran, which had been due to expire on Wednesday, to give Tehran time to come up with a “unified proposal” ahead of possible negotiations.

Iran has offered no formal acknowledgment of Trump’s ceasefire extension.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump for agreeing to the extension, saying it would buy time for ongoing diplomatic efforts.

“With the trust and confidence reposed in us, Pakistan shall continue its earnest efforts for a negotiated settlement of the conflict,” he wrote on X.

Trump said the US would continue its blockade of Iranian ports, which Iran has called “unacceptable,” and has indicated was a reason it had not yet agreed to join talks in Islamabad.

The Revolutionary Guard vowed Wednesday to “deliver crushing blows beyond the enemy’s imagination to its remaining assets in the region”.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre, a monitoring agency run by the British military that first reported the earlier 7:55 am attack, said a Revolutionary Guard gunboat did not hail the ship before firing. It added that nobody was hurt in the attack.

Iran’s Nour News, however, reported that the Guard only opened fire on the ship after it had “ignored the warnings of the Iranian armed forces”. Iran’s semiofficial Fars news agency described the attack as Iran “lawfully enforcing its control over the Strait of Hormuz.

In peacetime, about 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas transits the strategic waterway, which leads from the Persian Gulf to the open oceans and was fully open until the US and Israel attacked Iran on Feb 28 to start the war.

Since then Tehran has throttled shipping traffic through the strait, causing oil prices to skyrocket and impacting global economies.

In early trading on Wednesday, Brent crude oil, the international standard, was trading at close to $98 a barrel, up more than 30% since the day the war started.

Pakistan has been working tirelessly to bring both sides together for a second round of talks.

So far, Iran has not committed but Pakistani officials there have expressed confidence that Tehran will send a delegation to resume negotiations. The first round April 11 and 12 ended without an agreement.

Over the weekend, Iran said that it had received new proposals from Washington, but also suggested that a wide gap remains between the sides. Issues that derailed the previous round of negotiations included Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, its regional proxies and the strait.

Following Trump’s announcement of the ceasefire extension, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he hoped it would create “critical space for diplomacy and confidence-building between Iran and the United States,” according to his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.

Since the war started, at least 3,375 people have been killed in Iran, according to authorities. More than 2,290 people has been killed in Lebanon, 23 people have died in Israel and more than a dozen have died in Gulf Arab states. Fifteen Israeli soldiers in Lebanon and 13 US service members throughout the region have been killed. (AP)

11 Greenfield Satellite Townships approved in first cabinet meeting of Samrat Choudhary govt

Daily Excelsior

April 23, 2026

PATNA, Apr 22 : The Bihar government on Wednesday approved the development of 11 Greenfield Satellite Townships and imposed a ban on land sale, transfer, development and building construction in these specific zones, an official said.
The decision was taken in the first cabinet meeting of the Samrat Choudhary-led NDA government.
“The cabinet has approved the development of 11 Greenfield Satellite Townships to encourage planned urban growth. This includes naming selected special and core areas and imposing a ban on land sale, transfer, development and building construction in those specific zones,” additional chief secretary, Cabinet Secretariat department, Arvind Kumar Chaudhary told reporters.
The initial area for these new townships is about 800-1,200 acres, which, when fully expanded, will be at least ten times larger.
“Until the master plan is finalised, there is a ban on land sale, transfer, land development, and building construction in these areas,” he said.
Upgradation of 75 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into state-of-the-art skill training centres, under the centrally sponsored PM-SETU scheme, has also been approved at a cost of Rs 3,615 crore, of which the state’s share will be Rs 1,192.95 crore (33 per cent), Chaudhary said.
The government also approved Rs 66.75 crore for purchasing vehicles to enhance security for women and girls near schools and colleges, said the additional chief secretary.
“A total of 1,500 scooters for female police personnel, at a cost of Rs 1.25 lakh each, and 3,200 motorcycles for police personnel, at Rs 1.50 lakh each, will be provided,” he elaborated.
“The cabinet approved inclusion of collective road accidents under ‘State-Specific Local Disasters’, which will allow for ex-gratia payments to victims’ families and the seriously injured from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF),” read a statement issued by the Cabinet Secretariat department.
Ex-gratia payments for collective road accidents occurring between September 15, 2021, and March 31, 2022, will be provided on a retroactive basis, it added.
A policy aimed at providing rural land (double the size of current urban units) for establishing new State Seed Multiplication Farms has been approved, the statement said, adding that urban seed farm lands will be transferred free of cost via the Infrastructure Development Authority (IDA) for other development projects.
Chaudhary said that Rs 287.16 crore has been approved for land acquisition in Punpun for the infrastructure of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) Off-Campus and the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory (CFSL).
Administrative approval for a grant-in-aid of Rs 305 crore has been made to IIT Patna for establishing a research park, alongside Rs 39.01 crore for the implementation of IIT Patna Incubation Centre (Phase-2).
According to a statement issued by the department, free permanent transfer of 1.35 acres of state land to the Airports Authority of India for a permanent civil enclave, free inter-departmental transfer of seven acres of land in Patna to the Higher Education department for CNLU construction, and free transfer of 20 acres of land in Barauni to the Industries department for the establishment of the National Institute of Fashion Technology has been approved by the cabinet.
The cabinet also approved Rs 680 crore for the development of and land acquisition in the Baba Hariharnath Temple area, which will be modelled after the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi.
The government approved special facilities, including land registration through mobile units, for senior citizens aged 80 years and above under the Bihar Registration Rules, 2026.
Approval of a revised draft agreement following the Eastern Regional Council meeting. Out of undivided Bihar’s 7.75 million acre feet (MAF) water share, 5.75 MAF is allocated to Bihar and 2.00 MAF to Jharkhand, the statement added. (PTI)

JKHCBAJ celebrates birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar *Felicitates recently elevated Judges

Daily Excelsior

April 23, 2026

JKHCBAJ felicitating Chief Justice during a function held on Wednesday.

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Apr 22: The J&K High Court Bar Association, Jammu today held a function to commemorate 135th birth anniversary of the Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar at the Conference Hall of Lawyers Chamber Complex at District Court, Jammu. Recently elevated Judges of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani and Justice Shahzad Azeem were also felicitated by the Bar Association.
The function was presided over by the Chief Justice Arun Palli, who was accompanied by Justice Sindhu Sharma, Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Justice Rahul Bharti, Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, Justice Rajesh Sekhri, Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani and Justice Shahzad Azeem.
The function was also attended by the Registrar General, Registrar Judicial, Joint Registrar, Registrar Computers, and all judicial officers of the District judiciary. Battery of lawyers including both senior and young members of the bar were also present during the celebration.
The function started with address by Advocate Pooja Uppal who talked and expressed her views on the contribution of Bharat Ratna Dr. Ambedkar in the field of Law, and strengthening the laws for protection of the women. Advocate Roop Lal also briefed the gathering about Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. He shared the journey of Babasaheb Ambedkar from his childhood to his journey throughout life.
President of the JKHCBAJ, Senior Advocate Nirmal Kotwal in his presidential address enumerated about the role of Bharat Ratna Dr. Ambedkar in shaping the country and empowering the marginal communities of the society. He also shared about the reforms brought by Babasaheb as the Law Minister of India.
The gathering was also addressed by the Chief Justice, Arun Palli, who talked about Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R. Ambedkar also appreciated the efforts of the J&K High Court Bar Association for organising and celebrating such occasions.
Office bearers of the JKHCBAJ also congratulated and felicitated the Hon’ble Chief Justice for completing one year in office.
The proceedings of the event were conducted by the General Secretary Advocate Pardeep Majotra and the vote of thanks was formally delivered by Joint Secretary Advocate Anshu Mahajan. Vice President Advocate Baldev Singh and Treasure Advocate Rahul Aggarwal also expressed their gratitude to the Chief Guest, Judges, Judicial Officers and all members of the Bar for making the event a success.

Royal Fork wins Chess League

Daily Excelsior

April 23, 2026

Winners posing along with trophy during a programme.

Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 22: Led by Superb Jain, Royal Fork emerged winners of the 2nd Jammu Premier Chess League organized by Vivek Chess Academy (VCA) under the aegis of All J&K Chess Association (AJKCA), here today.
Royal Fork topped the five-team league with 12.5 points out of a maximum 16. The winning team included Mitansh Magotra (U-17), Triyansh (U-15) and Divyansh (U-14). Mitansh delivered the best performance with four points, followed by Divyansh with 3.5, Superb Jain with three and Triyansh with two points.
Knight Kings secured second place with 10 points. Their team comprised Surinder Gupta (captain), Manushree Nischal, Aadvik Gupta and Keshav Mahajan.
The winners were awarded a cash prize of Rs 5,000 and a trophy by chief guest Atul Kumar Gupta, Chairman Planning and Development Commission of All India Chess Federation (AICF).
Other participating teams included Crown Crushers, Laksh Army and Eight Wizards. The league was conducted under FIDE rules using Swiss pairing system with 30+15 increment format.

Germany planning to deploy 3 vessels for mission in Strait of Hormuz – Reports

Daily Excelsior

April 23, 2026

MOSCOW, April 22: Germany plans to deploy three vessels to participate in an international mission to secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Der Spiegel magazine reported, citing members of the German National Security Council.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz chaired a meeting of the council, where a number of important political and economic issues were discussed, including the situation in the Middle East, the report said on Tuesday.

The council is expected to deploy two minesweepers and one supply vessel to participate in the mission, the report read, adding that an international mandate, preferably from the UN Security Council, is a key prerequisite for Germany’s participation in the mission.

In addition, Germany has proposed deploying a small reconnaissance aircraft currently stationed in Djibouti as part of the Aspides mission, the report noted.

On April 1, US President Donald Trump said that he was strongly considering withdrawing the US from NATO after the allies refused to join the US-Israeli war on Iran. He said he no longer saw Europe as a reliable defense partner after the Europeans rejected his call to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz.

(UNI)

India-US Collaboration: Green Energy, Semiconductors ,Tourism take centre stage in Odisha talks

Daily Excelsior

April 23, 2026

BHUBANESHWAR, Apr 22: In a push to deepen international cooperation, U.S. Consul General Laura Williams on Wednesday held detailed discussions with Odisha Deputy Chief Minister K. Singh Deo, focusing on key sectors such as renewable energy and semiconductor manufacturing.
They also deliberated on promoting Odisha’s rich tourism and cultural heritage. A major highlight of the meeting was the transition towards sustainable energy.
Singh Deo outlined Odisha’s expanding vision in renewable energy and Pumped Storage Projects (PSPs), emphasising the state’s commitment to clean and reliable power solutions. He stressed the importance of integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) into all grid networks and solar projects to ensure uninterrupted power supply during peak demand hours.
The discussions also reflected Odisha’s growing technological ambitions. Both sides deliberated on semiconductor manufacturing, with particular emphasis on India’s pioneering 3D glass-based semiconductor chip initiatives.
Plans to establish data centres and lay underground cable networks to modernise the state’s digital infrastructure were also explored. Additionally, the potential of rare earth mineral deposits along Odisha’s coastline was highlighted as a strategic advantage.
The meeting further underscored Odisha’s strengths in supply chain and logistics management, along with opportunities for strategic growth in the maritime sector. The need to secure funding support for matured startups was also discussed to help scale the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Beyond industrial collaboration, the Consul General lauded Odisha’s resilience, particularly its efficient power distribution and rapid restoration efforts in the aftermath of cyclones. Tourism and cultural exchange were also key points of discussion, with Singh Deo highlighting Odisha’s national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and its active support for national sporting initiatives.
As a gesture of goodwill, the Consul General was presented with a book showcasing Odisha’s vibrant cultural heritage, marking a positive step towards stronger bilateral ties and future collaboration. (UNI)

NGT takes suo motu cognizance of vanishing lakes in J&K

Daily Excelsior

April 23, 2026

‘Revelation indicates breach of key environmental laws’

*Notices issued to nine key agencies of UT, GoI
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Apr 22: In a significant intervention, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognizance of a shocking revelation that nearly three-fourth of lakes in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have either vanished or shrunk drastically.

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Acting on a news report based on findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), the Tribunal headed by Chairperson Prakash Shrivastava along with Expert Members Dr A Senthil Vel and Dr Afroz Ahmad noted that the revelation that 518 of 697 lakes in J&K have either vanished or shrunk raises substantial questions relating to compliance with environmental norms and implementation of key environmental laws.
Citing the CAG report on conservation and management of lakes (covering the period up to March 2022, the NGT recorded that a whopping 518 lakes constituting about 74% of the 697 lakes in J&K have either disappeared or shrunk.
It noted that 315 lakes, 45% of the total lakes have completely vanished, covering a water spread of 1537.07 acres. Further, these lakes include 80 lakes falling under the jurisdiction of the Forest Department and 235 lakes falling under the Revenue Department and Agriculture Department. Moreover, water area of 203 lakes (29%) of 697 lakes had decreased by 1314.19 hectares.
The Tribunal noted that shrinking lake areas may have significantly contributed to the devastating 2014 Jammu and Kashmir floods as the lakes act as natural reservoirs and buffers during heavy rainfall, absorbing excess water and preventing floods. Their disappearance, therefore, weakens the region’s natural flood regulating system.
The NGT observed that despite the ecological importance of these lakes, there has been a failure on the part of key departments, including Forest Department, Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing, Revenue and Agriculture Departments.
“Shockingly, conservation and management plans exist for only six major lakes—Dal, Wular, Hokersar, Manasbal, Surinsar and Mansar leaving hundreds of other water bodies neglected”, the National Green Tribunal observed, adding “the shocking relevation raises serious environmental issues that affect the hydrology, vegetation, forest, agriculture, micro climatic conditions, aquatic, Avifauna and ecology”.
The Tribunal observed that the issue prima facie indicates violations of several crucial environmental legislations, including Environment Protection Act 1986, Biological Diversity Act 2002, Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Act 1974 and Forest Conservation Act 1980. These violations underline systemic lapses in environmental governance and compliance.
Taking serious note of the revelation, the NGT has impleaded multiple key authorities as respondents, including Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, National Wetland Committee, J&K Wetland Authority, J&K Pollution Control Committee, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing, Revenue Department, Fisheries Department and National Disaster Management Authority.
The Tribunal has issued notice to all these respondents with the direction to file detailed replies before the next date of hearing. Keeping in view the importance of the issue, the NGT has listed the case for further hearing on May 15, 2026. The Tribunal has also ordered that the matter be listed along with Original Application No. 239/2024, indicating a broader judicial scrutiny of environmental issues in the region.
The Tribunal invoked the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court of India in Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai Versus Ankita Sinha, which empowers it to take suo motu action in matters of environmental degradation.
“The disappearance of lakes is not just about water scarcity, it has triggered a cascading ecological impact, affecting hydrology and groundwater recharge, forest ecosystems and vegetation, agricultural sustainability, micro-climatic balance and aquatic biodiversity”, the experts said, adding “continued neglect could lead to irreversible environmental damage in the fragile Himalayan region”.
They further said, “the NGT’s intervention has sent a strong message that environmental neglect will no longer go unchecked. With hundreds of lakes already lost, the case could become a watershed moment in enforcing accountability and reviving Jammu and Kashmir’s endangered water bodies”.

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