Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 10: High Court has clarified that the preservation of River Jhelum, Sonmarg, Mansbal Lake, Master Plan and Solid Waste Management issues shall be dealt separately by the Court and the matter pertaining to prevention of pollution of River Sindh and its illegal constructions shall be confined only to its original issue.
Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Sanjay Dhar in order to avoid overlapping of issues pertaining to water bodies said these issues shall be dealt with by the court separately and the petition would be confined to its original subject which is prevention of pollution of River Sindh and removal of illegal and authorized constructions in and around it.
The matter was initially filed to prevent the pollution of River Sindh which flows from Gumri and after passing through various villages joins river Jhelum between Sumbal and Srinagar and for removal of illegal constructions from the river side and its bed.
The scope of the matter was later on enlarged by the court and the four aspects viz Golden Meadow, Sonamarg, Thajwas Glacier, Thajwas Wildlife Sanctuary; and Sindh River were highlighted to be examined.
Thereafter the Court declared Sonamarg to be a “no construction area” and a direction was issued for the development of an Integrated Sewage Treatment Plant and to provide Solid Waste Management facility under the Master Plan. However, the Master Plan submitted was not to the satisfaction of the Court and, as such, was directed to be revisited.
The Court was informed that the Central Government has pumped a huge sum of money precisely Rs. 12.11 crores for the purposes of establishing solid waste management system under the Swachh Bharat Mission and that the money is being utilized only for the construction of toilets. Accordingly, directions were issued to the Chief Secretary to convene a meeting of all stakeholders relating to solid waste management and to submit an action plan in this regard.
While dealing with the revision of the Sonamarg Master Plan and the Solid Waste Management System, court considered some suggestions made by the Amicus to save the Mansbal lake and the called upon the CEO, Mansbal Development Authority to file a report regarding steps taken for the preservation of the said lake.
Court after perusal of the record said the PIL as is apparent was initiated for the prevention of pollution of River Sindh and for removal of all unauthorised constructions in and around it but the scope of the PIL had been gradually enlarged by various orders of the Court by including the issues with regard to pollution of river Jhelum discharge of untreated sewage water into it, reduction of width of all rivers, Master Plan of Sonamarg, movement of vehicular traffic, pony trails, Thajwas Glacier, Thajwas Wildlife Sanctuary and preservation of the “Golden Meadows” of Sonamarg as also the location of the Golf Course in Sonamarg; establishment of solid waste management system; and pollution and preservation of Mansbal Lake.
Court said that since these issues are already under consideration of the court in different case and deemed it proper to henceforth all matters regarding the above said subject matters shall be dealt with by the court separately and the petition on hand would be confined to its original subject matter-the prevention of pollution of River Sindh and removal of illegal and unauthorised constructions in and around it.
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