The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has sought responses from various authorities, including the Central Pollution Control Board and the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee, regarding the “deteriorating conditions” of the Dal Lake in Kashmir.
Suo Motu Cognizance
The green panel was addressing a matter where it had taken suo motu (on its own) cognizance of a media report stating “…the condition of the Dal Lake in Kashmir was worsening due to municipal sewage, pollution, and urbanization, impacting the lives of Hanji people (those living in houseboats)”.
A bench comprising National Green Tribunal (NGT) Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member A Senthil Vel remarked, as per the report, that sewage has decimated the fish population in the lake. Once, the lake water was potable, but now it’s unfit even for washing faces.
“The news item highlights that 70 per cent of the sewage produced in Srinagar city flows into the lake, and the sewage treatment plants (STPs) are excessively utilized and inadequately maintained. The decline of the fish population has affected the livelihoods of Hanji people,” it noted, acknowledging the report.
Parties or Respondents
The tribunal stated that the news report raised a “significant issue” concerning compliance with environmental regulations. It included several authorities as parties or respondents, such as the vice-chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority, member secretaries of the Central Pollution Control Board and the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee, and the Srinagar deputy commissioner or district magistrate.
“Notice shall be served to the aforementioned respondents for the submission of their responses at least one week prior to the next hearing scheduled for August 21,” the tribunal instructed.
