Syed Rukaya
Srinagar, Sept 08: The High Court (HC) of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Thursday asked the government to file response to the report of amicus curiae regarding restoration and preservation of Wular Lake.
“Let a copy of the said report/suggestions be provided to the office of the learned Advocate General for response from the government,” the court directed.
Hearing a Public interest Litigation (PIL) by Kashmir Environmental Protection seeking conservation and protection of Wular Lake, a division bench of Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Puneet Gupta noted that Advocate General has also filed an action taken report (ATR) along with an affidavit before it regarding encroachment of 640 kanals of Wular Lake.
In this connection, the bench asked the amicus curiae to go through the ATR and make additional suggestions if any by the next date.
In addition to that, amicus curiae, Nadeem Qadri also submitted his report and suggestions related to the development and cleaning of the Wular Lake.
The court passed the directions after a three minute documentary on the work being done at the Wular Lake was presented before it.
The court noted that the documentary reveals that cleaning and restoration of the Lake is in progress and some land has been retrieved.
The court fixed the matter for hearing on November 7, 2022.
In a previous hearing, the court had directed the government to file an action taken report indicating what action they have taken against encroachment of 640 kanals of Wular Lake.
The bench had directed the authorities to inform it the manner in which Rs. 200 crore provided by Centre government is sought to be spent for the conservation and management of the Wular Lake.
The court also directed the amicus curiae, Nadeem Qadri to bring on record his own inspection report along-with suggestions he proposes to make for development of Wular Lake.
Earlier, the court had directed the authorities to immediately take necessary steps for removal of the encroachments within the boundary and vicinity of Wular Lake.
It had also directed that no construction activity shall be permitted or come up within 200 metres of the boundaries of the Wular Lake.
