PIL alleges Verinag springs being encroached upon
Ishfaq Tantry
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, July 10
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has sought a status report from the government about the encroachment upon the Verinag spring which if the source of the Jhelum river.
The directions were issued by a division bench of the High Court after an NGO filed a public interest litigation alleging encroachment of the Verinag spring and seeking intervention for its preservation.
The Verinag spring is a famous tourist spot of Kashmir located about 26 km from Anantnag town.
“A communication sent by the Greater Verinag Civil Society (NGO) on June 12, 2019, has been directed to be registered as a public interest litigation. The matter is concerned with the encroachment at the source of the Jehlum river; dumping of waste and inadequacy of the drainage system,” the High Court said in its orders while issuing notices to the State of J&K through the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Secretary, Tourism; and chief executive officer, Verinag Development Authority, Anantnag.
The court has further directed that a copy of the communication be provided to counsels representing the respondents so as to enable them to file status reports within four weeks, while posting the matter for further consideration on August 28.
Three parties issued notices
- The HC has issued notices to the State of J&K through the divisional commissioner, Kashmir; secretary, tourism; and chief executive officer, Verinag Development Authority, Anantnag
- The court has further directed that a copy of the communication be provided to counsels representing the respondents so as to enable them to file status reports within four weeks, while posting the matter for further consideration on August 28
