EPG welcomes crackdown on encroachments along J&K’s water bodies

Srinagar, Sep 30: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has welcomed the statement by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha calling for a crackdown on encroachments along water bodies in the Union Territory, resulting in devastating floods experienced recently in Jammu & Kashmir.

At the same time, the group emphasised the urgent need for systematic action, accountability, and protection of fragile wetlands, which act as water absorption basins during floods, and are vital to Kashmir’s aquatic ecology, said a press release.

Convenor EPG, Faiz Bakshi, while appreciating LG’s initiative, raised pointed questions regarding the origin and persistence of these encroachments. “How did these encroachments come up in the first place? Under whose supervision were they allowed to grow unchecked? And will those responsible be held accountable?” he asked.

The group highlighted that wetlands such as Hokersar, Haigham, Shallabugh, and Mirgund, as well as Aanchar, Dal and Nigeen Lake, have seen tens of hundreds of kanals illegally encroached and occupied, according to the information obtained through an RTI filed by activist MM Shuja. The case of Anchar lake is most baffling, with its thousands of kanals not only encroached upon, bifurcated into plots, sold, but also mutated into revenue records as proprietary lands. There is a 25 ft wide road running deep into Aanchar Lake to facilitate encroachment, development as plots and facilitate sale.

“The examples are endless. However, EPG is shocked over the management of Hokersar, where inlet & outlet Hydraulic Gated structures had to be constructed at a huge expenditure of about Rs 47 crores to correct the folly of deep dredging across the wetland that resulted in draining out its water, rendering it dry for more than three years” it said. “EPG conducted several meetings with Wildlife and other government departments to regulate the water level after completion of installation of Gated Hydraulic structures at intake and outflow, but shockingly, the required water level is not allowed to be maintained by the WLD, which succumbs due to interference of hidden hands. Why spend 47 crores if the objective sought to be achieved is not allowed to be served?,” it lamted.

EPG further pointed out that illegal constructions, violations, overnight construction of roads, bridges and encroachments of lakes in the LCMA jurisdiction area of Dal, Nigeen, Khimber, Chattergam, etc, often are done by influential and powerful individuals, and remain unchecked by the concerned enforcement officers.

While welcoming the LG’s call for a people’s movement to protect water bodies, EPG urged the administration to take serious measures and ensure action that is time-bound, transparent, and accountable. “Wetlands/water bodies are the lungs of Kashmir’s environment. Their encroachment is not just an environmental concern but a loss for future generations,” Bakshi said.

The group concluded by emphasising that immediate restoration of encroached wetlands, decisive action against encroachers and negligent officials, and sustained public awareness are critical in protecting Kashmir's fragile ecology.

“The LG’s statement in the backdrop of recent floods in both regions of Jammu & Kashmir and the destruction it had caused to life, property and infrastructure raises serious questions because actions of a small section of society in collusion with accomplices result in causing unimaginable loss and damage to a large number of people. How long can it be allowed to continue is a question every citizen asks after a couple of days of rain and a looming threat of flood.”