Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 7: High Court today came down heavily on Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) for not implementing its directions on use of polythene and other plastic items in and around the Dal lake and warned the authorities for contempt proceedings in case the drive against polythene is not undertaken.
On asking whether drive against use of polythene and its allied items in and around the lake has been undertaken as directed, the LAWDA counsel M A Beigh (AAG) submitted before the court that Srinagar Municipal Corporation has been communicated about the issue.
However, Division Bench of Chief Justice Badar Durez Ahmad and Justice M K Hanjura expressed its anguish and observed, “we have no concern to whom you have communicated, we want results. Should we issue contempt proceedings against you?”
LAWDA counsel stated that there are dustbins around the lake but people are not using those and instead throwing the waste into lake. “If anybody is found polluting the lake, he should be fined”, court directed.
Court has also been shown recently taken photographs, which depicts very shabby position of the water body. Court warned the LAWDA authorities that in case the lake and its peripheries are not made polythene and plastic free, the action may be taken. CJ also emphasized on mass awareness about the demerits of use polythene and plastic and asked the authorities to involve schools in this process also.
Court directed the authorities to implement its directions and place compliance report before it by next date. Court has also perused the Court Commissioner’s report which was in sealed cover and has been opened during court proceedings and subsequently taken on record and LAWDA has been directed to respond to it by next date.
Response has also been sought from LAWDA to the report in which worst condition of the world famous Dal Lake has been put before the court despite hundreds of orders passed for its preservation and protection.
The detailed report was filed last week by the advocate Sajad Ahmad Mir who in terms of previous order was appointed as assisting amicus to the PIL and has conducted a survey and visit in and around the lake so as to give the correct picture to the court.
During the proceedings in the matter deliberations have been on the water quality of the lake and nutrients like nitrate and phosphorus in the water, court said, are grave concern. “You have put in place STPs but nutrients are there. Don’t allow sewerage in Dal as it is the reason for spreading weeds and enhancing its growth”, CJ directed.
Court has also put a question to LAWDA officials who were present in the court: “How do you determine efficiency of STPs? How efficient are the STPs in treating the sewerage?”
Court observed that the picture emerging now is that sewage adds to the Dal nutrients in the form of nitrates and phosphates and none of the STPs is working with the desired results. Court advised the LAWDA that instead of cutting the weed, cut the sources that lead to its growth.
“Condition of Nigeen is even worse, every Kashmiri tells now, that please save Dal. But fact of the matter is quality of Dal water is very bad”, CJ observed and “Anchar, Gilsar and other lakes have already vanished as they are now only marshy lands”.
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