Srinagar: The High Court today granted the J&K Union Territory administration two weeks to turn in its views and suggestions with relevant documentation on the issues facing Dal Lake.
A division bench while hearing a 2002 PIL on bad condition of the water-body of the city said “we have identified three issues to be given priority in consideration of matters in this PIL. We would expect the respondent authorities to give their views, suggestions with the relevant documentation concerning these issues within a period of two weeks.”
The bench also directed advocate Zafar Shah, the Amicus Curiae in the petition, to respond to the matter and provide his views and suggestions.
The High Court had previously directed the authorities to report to it their perspectives on the issues including the flow of sewage and liquid waste into the Dal Lake and the removal of unauthorised constructions in and around the lake.
The bench reverted to a 2021 order wherein it had identified certain specific issues that required immediate attention. The issues included cleanliness of Dal; checking the flow of sewage and liquid waste in it, solid waste management, the responsibility of the Tourism Department qua the development of tourist and recreational sports, maintenance and creation of public facilities.
It had also stipulated management of the problems concerning the houseboats in the lake, stoppage and removal of unauthorised constructions and all encroachments in and around the lake area and responsibilities of the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA, now Lake Conservation and Management Authority or LCMA) as also that of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).
The court while prioritising the issues again in this March said the flow of sewage and liquid waste into the Dal, solid waste management in and around it, stoppage and removal of unauthorised constructions, encroachments and the responsibilities of the LAWDA (LCMA) and SMC needs to be set out.
Accordingly, it asked the concerned authorities to provide their perspectives on how to address these issues so as to facilitate the court in passing appropriate orders within 15 days.
