High Court closes PIL on Tral Aripal spring conservation

Srinagar, Oct 10: The High Court of J&K and Ladakh has closed a Public Interest litigation (PIL) seeking restoration of discharge in Aripal Spring and its conservation in South Kashmir’s Tral.

In the PIL filed earlier this year, a practising advocate Muhammad Younus had sought various other directions that included taking up all necessary steps for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission in letter and spirit on the ground in sub-district Tral in particular and the whole J&K in general.

A division bench of Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal closed the PIL after the petitioner who appeared in person, submitted that in the wake of the stand set out in the response filed by the authorities, the proceedings be closed.

However, the petitioner further submitted for having liberty to file a fresh petition in the event any further cause of action arises.

“The petition is, accordingly, disposed of in the above terms,” the court said after hearing the parties.

The Aripal spring originates in the northern ridge of the Greater Himalayas at an elevation of approximately 4000 meters above sea level and finally merges with the Jhelum River near Chursoo Awantipora, according to the PIL.

The average discharge from the Spring had been previously measured at around 20 cubic feet per second (Cusecs), which is approximately 108 lakh gallons per day. However, as of today, the spring has completely dried up, the PIL underscored.

The PIL pointed out that the entire population of Sub District Tral is dependent upon the source of drinking water from Aripal spring and they have been facing severe water scarcity for the last so many years. The drying of spring has affected the daily lives of the residents, it said.

While the PIL sought to prepare and implement a sustainable development plan for Aripal Spring, it urged to disclosure of all the measures taken by the authorities to deal with any water shortage in case of any unforeseen event of drying of the spring.