Srinagar: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh on Friday closed a public interest petition (PIL) seeking implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in letter and spirit in J&K, besides conservation of Aripal Spring in Tral, south Kashmir, with liberty to the petitioner to file a fresh petition in the event of any further cause of action.
Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal while ordering closure of the PIL noted that the bench had heard the counsels for the parties at some length.
The bench said “the petitioner, who appears in person, submits that in the wake of the stand set out in the response filed by the respondent authorities, the proceedings be closed, but with liberty to the petitioner to file a fresh petition in the event any further cause of action arises.”
The PIL was filed by advocate Mohammad Younus Sheikh against the Union Territory of J&K, and prayed for directing the respondents to prepare and implement a sustainable development plan for Aripal Spring including measures for water conservation and restoration of discharge in the said spring.
The petition sought a commandment on the respondents to disclose all measures taken by them to deal with any water shortage in case of any unforeseen event of drying of Aripal spring in total, and to frame an additional backup resource plan to deal with any future water scarcity.
It sought from the court a direction on the concerned respondents to take all necessary steps for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in letter and spirit on ground in the area of Sub District Tral in particular, and the whole UT in general.
It also called for the constitution of a monitoring committee consisting of experts, local representatives and government officials to oversee the implementation of conservation and execution measures for supply of proper drinking water.
The petitioner, a practicing lawyer, pleaded for construction of water reservoirs and necessary artificially designed systems for rain water harvesting, contour trenching, infiltration ponds and recharge wells that will support replenishment of the spring.
This, the petition said, “can be used in support of, or as a backup of the said spring in case any unwanted event such as drought, drying up of spring takes place as is situation nowadays” and also “direct the respondent to take adequate measures to prevent water pollution and contamination in various irrigation canals so that the water can be utilized for other means.”
Pursuant to the orders passed by the court, the respondent authorities filed a detailed response before the bench.
