Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 28: High Court today directed the authorities to take scientific efforts for preventing the Pangong Lake from degradation and destruction and to remove all structures erected along the banks of lake.
Hearing two petitions seeking direction to the authorities that they be restrained from removing their structures, the court of Justice Tashi Rabstan while observing that lakes are an important feature of the earth’s landscape, directed the District Administration of Leh to take all well planned, sustainable and scientific efforts and steps to prevent degradation, or say ultimate death, of Pangong Lake.
Court with regard to encroachments on the banks of the lake directed District Administration to remove all structures.
Court with regard to structures of Army around the area of lake directed the authorities to take up the matter with the Army authorities to shift the structures erected by Army, around the lake to any other place or area where it is found appropriate having regard to security scenario and given preservation of Lake as well.
Court while passing these directions observed that lakes are extremely valuable ecosystems and provide a range of goods and services to humankind. “They are not only a significant source of precious water, but extend valuable habitats to plants and animals, moderate the hydrological extreme events – drought and floods, influence microclimate, enhance the aesthetic beauty of the landscape and offer many recreational opportunities”, reads the judgment.
With these observations court said the Pangong Lake requires preservation and conservation from being contaminated and polluted under the guise of developmental works, construction and erection of structures around the lake.
Not only this, Court said, a scheme and policy is also important to be formulated by the State Government, if not already formulated, for preservation and conservation of Pangong Lake.
“District Administration of Leh shall also endeavour to save, protect and preserve the flora and fauna in and around Lake. Insofar as bore-wells and hand pumps are concerned, District Administration shall seal all bore-wells and hand pumps, which are operating illegally, unauthorizedly and without permission from the authority”, court further directed.
Notices, issued by Sub Divisional Magistrate, Durbuk, Leh was under challenge in the writ petition, by virtue which, final and last opportunity was afforded to camp owners to remove their structures within seven days of publication of the notice or else all structures would be demolished and dismantled and the material would be confiscated at the risk and cost of owners.
A report has been produced by the State counsel which reveals that a slew of camps, restaurants and other structures have been set up illegally and are being operated along bank of Pangong Lake without any permission, generating constantly all type of effluences and contaminants and as a consequence whereof posing serious threat to the very existence of the Pangong Lake, besides snuffing out ecologically fragile region as also wildlife.
In this regard notices under J&K Wildlife Protection Act, have been served upon encroachers. Court said, though make-believe steps on paper have been taken, yet no substantial and significant result spring therefrom. It has also been noticed that the establishment of restaurants, hotels, guest houses, home stays, camps and resorts is on spree in District Leh, depleting ground water level because innumerable bore wells and hand pumps are at galore.
Ladakh region, Court said, does not have rain water harvesting system and as a sequel whereof, groundwater level in Ladakh rgion is depleting day by day as such Court said, it is bounden duty and responsibility of District Administration, Leh, that groundwater resources (aquifers) are protected from such activities that impact the equity of access and sustainability of the resource.
“Public Health Engineering Department Leh, shall ensure that potable water is provided to the colonies/habitations, in discharge of their public obligation and while doing so it shall inhibit illegal extraction of groundwater”, Court directed and said that this order be forwarded to Chief Secretary, Deputy Commissioner, Leh, and Executive Engineer, PHE, Leh.
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