Early Times Report
Srinagar, Feb 26: A Division Bench of the J&K High Court comprising Justice M H Attar and A M Magrey today warned to close down hotels including state owned centaur if they fail to take remedial measures to stop inflow of effluents into the world famous Dal Lake.
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation, the Division Bench comprising Justice M H Attar and A M Magrey also observed that desired results despite its 14 years of vigorous efforts have not been achieved so far.
"From the year 2002, this court has made earnest and vigorous efforts to ensure preservation of the world famous Dal Lake. Because of the insensitivity on part of some of the authorities, the desired results have not been achieved till date," the Division Bench said, adding, "If the things go on in the same manner then the Dal Lake, which is shrinking and dying, will be non-existent in the near future."
The court said that while Almighty has been kind to create Kashmir like a 'paradise on earth', the insatiable human greed is converting it into hell.
At request of Advocate General Raina, the court deferred consideration of all the reports filed by the official respondents including the Chief Secretary.
"We request learned Advocate General to take serious measures on this serious issue and come up with concrete and practicable suggestions. Learned Advocate General is also requested to take initiative in the back drop of order of the Court dated on 4th December, 2015," the Division Bench said
Subsequently, the Advocate General sought four weeks time to report about the steps being taken, and which would require to be taken in future for preserving the Dal Lake.
Division Bench also directed the Chairman Pollution Control Board to provide copy of the report filed by him to the concerned authorities for taking all remedial steps. "All the stake holders, who are mentioned in the compliance report which includes Hotel Centaur, Hotel Grand Palace and SKIMS Soura to take immediate remedial steps and file compliance report," the Division Bench said, adding that in case remedial steps were not taken, then Court will be constrained to initiate action which may also result in shutting down all these hotels.
The court listed list the case, a PIL filed in 2002, for consideration in the week commencing from 22 March. "In the meanwhile, all the authorities to file status report," it said.
The division bench also directed court Commissioners to make further visit of the area including Dal Lake and file their further report before the next date. |
