Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 27: Environmental compensation exceeding Rs 50 crore has been imposed over the past five years for pollution, illegal mining and discharge of untreated sewage in Doodhganga, Shaliganga and adjoining areas, the Government informed the Legislative Assembly today.
The disclosure came in response to a question of MLA Ali Mohammad Dar, with the Government detailing action taken under directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in cases concerning river pollution and illegal mining across central Kashmir.
According to the reply, the J&K Pollution Control Committee (PCC) has levied environmental compensation (EC) on municipal bodies, private firms and other violators for environmental degradation in Budgam, invoking the “polluter pays” principle.
In the Doodhganga pollution case, the NGT, in its March 8, 2022 order in Raja Muzaffar Bhat Versus Union of India & others, held the administration accountable for failing to prevent dumping of solid waste and discharge of untreated sewage into the water body, including in Mamath Kul.
The tribunal directed payment of interim environmental compensation of Rs 1 crore each under three heads, to be deposited in a dedicated account for restoration measures.
Acting on these directions, the PCC imposed a penalty of Rs 41.47 crore on the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for pollution in Doodhganga Nallah. Environmental compensation of Rs 372.17 lakh and Rs 141.43 lakh has also been levied on Municipal Council Budgam and Municipal Committee Chadoora, respectively.
Further, an additional penalty of Rs 351.96 lakh was imposed on SMC in January 2026.
Show-cause notices have also been issued to Municipal Committee Chadoora and Municipal Council Budgam proposing further compensation of Rs 9.12 lakh and Rs 113.09 lakh, respectively, indicating that the total liability may rise further.
The Government informed the House that Rs 29,200 has been realised over the past five years in Chadoora constituency as penalties, largely from small units such as brick kilns, raising concerns over enforcement and compliance.
In the Shaliganga riverbed mining case, the Government said environmental compensation amounting to several crores has been imposed on private project proponents for violations of mining norms across multiple blocks.
Responding to a separate query on the delays in execution of sewage treatment plants (STPs) around Doodhganga, including at Barzulla and Chadoora, despite allocation of Rs 67 crore, it said the matter pertains to the Department of Urban Local Bodies.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
