Srinagar: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has directed an immediate ban on all the commercial activities in and around Zero Point of Zojila Pass besides the use of polythene there.
Hearing a PIL on the border dispute between the UT of Kashmir and that of Ladakh, Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice M A Chowdhary ordered “to protect the environment and maintain tranquility, all types of commercial activities as also using of snow scooters/sledges in and around Zero Point of Zojila Pass are hereby strictly banned with immediate effect”.
The bench also directed “use of polythene bags, plastic packets, and other plastic materials in and around Zero Point of Zojila Pass are also strictly banned with immediate effect”.
Respondent authorities were further directed “to launch an extensive cleanliness drive of Zero Point of Zojila Pass and the nearby snowbound areas on war-footing in collaboration with the officials of both the UTs as well as with the help of NGOs/social organizations”.
The court directed the SSPs of Ganderbal, and Kargil to strictly implement the order of ban and file the action taken report before the next date of hearing.
According to the petitioner, a counsellor from Drass, Zojila Pass is situated within the territorial jurisdiction of District Kargil.
Today, when the matter came up for consideration, a status report on behalf of respondent Chief Executive Officer, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil, contended that the administration of Ganderbal and officials of Police Station Sonmarg often allow tourist vehicles up to Zero Point of Zojila Pass.
While advocating the environmental regulations and protections to preserve the unique ecological balance of the area, it averred that the Wildlife Warden, Kargil, vide his report has also shown concern about the increased tourism and human activity in the fragile ecosystem of Ladakh, which has an adverse impact on the unique flora and fauna in this specific area.
According to the report, the unregulated tourism and increased human activities in the fragile landscape could lead to the destruction of natural habitats. This in turn could impact species that are already adapted to the area’s harsh climate and sensitive ecosystem, potentially leading to loss of biodiversity. The area is home to schedule I species like Himalayan Brown Bear, Long Tailed Marmots.
It also said the increased human presence and activities such as moving in the habitat zones, usage of vehicles could disrupt the natural migration and breeding routes of wildlife species. Many animals rely on specific migratory patterns for survival and interference in these patterns could lead to population decline, it said.
The report claimed that heavy traffic, especially from vehicles, may lead to air and noise pollution. Additionally, improper waste disposal and littering from increased tourism can contaminate the region, affecting plant life and animals that depend on clean water sources and unpolluted land.
Besides the amicus curiae also stated that in and around Zojila Pass there are many illegal commercial activities going on and their unchecked expansion may not only lead to detrimental consequences for the fragile high mountain pass ecosystem and indigenous communities, but also pose significant environmental and social challenges, besides threat of habitat disturbance and poaching risks.
It was further stated that recreational activities such as sledging and using snow scooters in the snow-bound high mountain pass can not only disturb the snow and ice cover, leading to soil erosion once the snow melts. It also contributes to air pollution through emissions from fuel consumption and the snow itself becomes contaminated with exhaust particles, oil spills, and other pollutants, thus posing a serious threat to ecological balance.
The noise and movement from snowmobiles can disturb these animals, disrupting their natural habitats and breeding cycles, claimed the amicus. Littering in the snow-bound mountain region in the shape of polythene bags, plastic packets, and other plastic related materials is causing several significant environmental and ecological problems.
