HC raps lake authority for poor conservation

Ishfaq Tantry

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 28

The J&K High Court today reprimanded the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority for its lackadaisical approach towards the conservation of the Dal Lake, observing that the lake was already on oxygen.

The PIL about the conservation of the Dal and Nigeen was listed for hearing before a division bench of the High Court.

“Dal Lake is already on oxygen. But there is no outcome of the efforts of the lake authority,” the bench observed while reprimanding the authorities responsible for the conservation and preservation of the lake, the existence of which has been threatened by the rising levels of pollution of its waters and the unabated growth of the weeds.

In its directions today, the bench also asked the lake authority to submit the outcome of the meetings of the Scientific Advisory Committee and the High Level Monitoring Committees on the next hearing of the case.

The lake now faces a turbulent phase as sewage and high-nutrient load flows into it, posing a major challenge to its ecosystem.

While discussing a change in the vegetation pattern in the Dal lake, the Scientific Advisory Committee, in its recent meeting, listed the enrichment of water by nutrients and change in weather conditions as the main reason. The committee has recommended a study of the impact of the new fern, azolla, on the lake and short-term remedial measures.

The court also reiterated its earlier direction asking the authorities concerned to complete the demarcation exercise of the national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves and wetlands of the Valley within the stipulated time following which the bench was informed that the revenue authorities concerned (deputy commissioners) were cooperating.

In Kashmir, nine wetlands and nature reserves were notified in 1945, but their demarcation has not been carried out so far. Though there are as many as 1,200 water bodies in Kashmir alone, but only nine are being managed by the Wildlife Department.

‘Complete demarcation of national parks’

The court also asked the authorities concerned to complete the demarcation exercise of the national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves and wetlands of the Valley within the stipulated time.