Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 7: High Court today reserved its judgment on the PIL about the protection and preservation of water bodies, wetlands and wild life areas with the observation that the response of the authorities is total trash and speaks incompetence on part of authorities.
The Division Bench of Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey reserved its orders while hearing the PIL on protection of river Jhelum as the amicus Nadeem Qadri submitted that only paper work is done by the authorities and on ground level situation remains same.
Advocate Qadri informed the court that the authorities were granted 3 months time to demarcate all wet lands, conserves and wildlife areas but except two wildlife areas one at Dachigam and other at Gulmarg nothing has been done.
In terms of Water Regulation and Resources Act, he submitted that the State Government is trustee of water bodies and in this connection CE I&FC was asked to provide the information as to how many irrigation canals are existing in the Valley.
Reiterating the previous court directions he submitted that authorities were directed to remove all encroachments along water bodies as also provide the original width of river Jhelum.
He further submitted that warrants were issued against the engineers of I&FC Department as also show cause notices were issued from CEs to JEs of the department as to why penalty may not be imposed on them for dereliction of their duties but on the ground level not much has been achieved.
Referring one of the constructions recently raised on the bank of river in Srinagar, amicus submitted that how this construction has been allowed as there was no NOC from I&FC and how the SMC has granted permission for such construction.
Giving the example of one of the wetlands which was to be demarcated, he submitted that mob attacked the staff who were entrusted with the job and no police protection was made available resulting into leaving the job as it is.
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