HC seeks suggestions on sewage flow, unauthorised constructions in Dal Lake

Srinagar, March 13:  The High Court of J&K and Ladakh Wednesday asked the authorities to give their views and suggestions with relevant documentation on issues including the flow of sewage and liquid waste in the Dal Lake and the removal of unauthorised construction in and around the water body.

A division bench of Chief Justice N Kotiswar Singh and Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal sought the suggestions while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that was filed by a law student in 2002, seeking the preservation of the Dal Lake.

“As we have identified three issues to be given priority in consideration of the matters in this PIL, we would expect the respondent authorities to give their views, and suggestions with the relevant documentation concerning these issues within two weeks,” the bench said.

In terms of an order issued on September 24, 2021, the court had identified certain specific issues which it said require attention like cleanliness of Dal Lake; the flow of sewage and liquid waste into it; solid waste management in and around the lake; responsibility of the Tourism Department regarding the development of tourist and recreational sports, maintenance and creation of public facilities; management of problems concerning houseboats; stoppage and removal of unauthorised construction and all encroachments in and around the lake area and responsibilities of the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) as also that of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).

In the order, the court had said: “While acknowledging the significance of all the identified issues, this court deems it more appropriate to prioritise the aspects.”

In this way, the court prioritised issues such as the flow of sewage and liquid waste in the Dal Lake, solid waste management in and around the Dal Lake, stoppage and removal of unauthorised construction and all encroachments in and around the lake area and responsibilities of the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) as also that of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).

“Accordingly, we would like the concerned authorities to provide their perspectives on how to address these issues and to facilitate the court in passing appropriate orders,” the bench had said.