HC orders immediate ban on commercial activities, plastic use at Zojila Pass

Srinagar, Mar 7: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has ordered an immediate ban on commercial activities in and around the Zero Point of Zojila Pass besides the use of polythene bags and plastic related materials in the area. A bench of Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice M A Chowdhary issued the directions in response to a Public Interest litigation seeking to save Ladakh’s environment, ecology, and land from encroachers and to resolve the “boundary dispute between district Kargil in Ladakh and district Ganderbal in Kashmir”.

“To protect the environment and maintain tranquility, all types of commercial activities, as also use of Snow Scooters or sledges in and around Zero Point of Zojila Pass are hereby strictly banned with immediate effect,” the bench said. It also barred use of polythene bags, plastic packets, and other plastic related materials in and around Zojila pass with immediate effect.

The Court also directed the authorities 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 UTs of J&K and Ladakh as well as with the help of NGOs and social organizations.

Further, the court directed the SSPs of Ganderbal and Kargil to strictly implement the order it passed and file the action taken report well before April 15, the next date of hearing of the PIL.

The Court issued the directions after hearing various submissions and suggestions made by counsel appearing for the parties and with a view and hope to put a hold on the deleterious results of reckless illegal commercial activities which are alleged to have been taking place, brazenly, in and around Zero Point of Zojila Pass.