NGT serves notices on declining state of wetlands, water bodies in Kashmir

New Delhi, Mar 20:  The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has initiated legal action against the authorities including the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee, concerning the purported decline in the condition of wetlands and water bodies.

This action transpired as the NGT took suo motu cognisance of published news items shedding light on the deteriorating state of wetlands and water bodies within Jammu and Kashmir.

The report elucidated that both natural phenomena and human activities, such as escalating temperatures, unregulated sediment accumulation amounting to millions of tons annually, encroachment, and discharge of waste, had contributed to the degradation of wetlands and water bodies in the region.

Furthermore, it underscored the pollution crisis affecting water bodies like Dal, Wular, Anchar, and Manasbal lakes, along with wetlands including Haigam Rakh in the Jhelum Valley, Hokersar near Srinagar, and Shalbug in Ganderbal.

A panel comprising NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member A Senthil Vel said, “The news report underscores the imperative for efficient management of wetlands and water bodies, necessitating prompt and concrete actions to ensure their preservation.”

Moreover, it spotlighted a significant concern about adherence to environmental standards and enforcement of regulations outlined in the Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules and the Environment (Protection) Act.

In a recent directive, the tribunal has summoned numerous authorities as parties to the case, including member secretaries of the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee and the Central Pollution Control Board, the secretary of the J&K’s Forest, Ecology, and Environment Department, and the regional officer of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

“The respondents are hereby served notice to furnish their responses at least one week before the scheduled hearing on May 22,” the NGT said.

Highlighting a report submitted by the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee regarding the monitoring of nine wetlands — Hokarsar, Mirgund, Manibugh, Freshkoori, Chattlam, Kranchoo, Shallbugh, Hygam, and Manasbal — the tribunal noted the absence of “physicochemical and biological, including bacteriological, data in terms of numeric values crucial for the comprehensive assessment of water bodies."